Recipe(tried): Baked Italian Ziti

Baked Ziti
serves 8

3 cups uncooked ziti
1 lb. ground beef
1 (28 oz.) jar of your favorite Italian sauce
1 (16 oz.) carton ricotta
2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions. Drain and set aside while you prepare sauce.

In a large skillet, brown the beef well, drain. Mix with the sauce in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a skillet, saute onions til limp and they begin to golden, add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the spinach and blend well. Add to sauce and stir well. In another bowl, blend together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella and seasonings. Toss the pasta with the sauce. Spoon half of the pasta into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spread cheese mixture over, pour the rest of the pasta over and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cup of mozzarella and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over. Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 5 minutes.