Recipe: Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

10 ounces ziti or penne pasta, uncooked
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup pesto sauce
salt and pepper
8 cups fresh spinach leaves
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided use

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Heat a large heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and saute until the sausage is cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spatula, about 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Add the undrained tomatoes to the sausage mixture and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.

Stir in the pesto. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine the cooked pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Stir in the hot tomato sauce. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2/3 cup of Parmesan cheese over it.

Bake in a 325 degrees F oven until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts, about thirty minutes.

Servings: 8
Adapted from unknown source