Baked Ziti With Spinach

Submitted by ashmartone

"I came up with this recipe after having my son, a good way to get some extra iron from the spinach without the spinach taste. If you like your italian dishes cheesy and a little spicy you will love this!"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 50mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Yields: 1 cup
• Serves: 8-10

ingredients

• Sauce

• 1 lb hot Italian sausage, crumbled
• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup red wine
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• salt and pepper

• Cheese Filling

• 1 lb whole milk ricotta cheese
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
• 2 cups fresh Baby Spinach, wrung out and coarsely chopped
• 1 lb ziti pasta, cooked for 5 minutes only
• 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend, for topping

directions

1. Cook sausage on stovetop; medium heat until no longer pink, drain.
2. Return to heat and add wine. Cook until evaporated.
3. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients for sauce.
5. Bring to slow boil; Partially cover and reduce heat to low.
6. Simmer sauce for approximately 1 hour.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
8. Combine all ingredients for cheese filling.
9. Add layer of sauce to bottom of 13x9 inch dish.
10. Layer half of noodles, half of cheese filling.
11. Layer small amount of sauce.
12. Repeat noodles and cheese layers. Cover with layer of sauce. You will have extra sauce and you can use this on the side if desired.
13. Cover with foil and bake 45-60 minutes or until bubbling at edges.
14. Remove foil and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
15. Return to oven for additional 5 minutes.
16. Remove from oven let set for 15 minutes then Enjoy!