Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes
- 3/4 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 28-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
- 1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
- 10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked
- 8 cups ready-to-use spinach leaves (about 2/3 of 10-ounce package)
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)
- Heat heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add sausage, onion and garlic and saute until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes.
- Add tomatoes with juices to pan.
- Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in pesto.
- Season sauce with salt and pepper.
- (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- Bring to simmer before continuing.)
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish.
- Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl.
- Stir in hot tomato sauce.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over.
- Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes.
italian sausages, onion, garlic, tomatoes, purchased pesto sauce, penne pasta, readyto, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/baked-ziti-with-spinach-and-tomatoes-2609 (may not work)