Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage & Spinach
This Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage & Spinach is a cozy, cheesy pasta bake packed with savory sausage and fresh spinach. Perfect for a comforting family meal!
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage choose turkey or chicken-based for a lighter option
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 3 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the ziti pasta.
- Add the ziti to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Be careful not to overcook since it will continue baking later. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cooking the Sausage and Vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet with sausage and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Mixing and Assembling
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir in the sausage and spinach mixture until everything is evenly coated.
- Spray or lightly oil your baking dish. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Baking
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden top.
- Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to cut into portions.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowls
- Colander
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Notes
- For a lighter version, use turkey or chicken-based Italian sausage.
- Swap spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green flavor.
- Freeze the unbaked assembled dish for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking.
- Do not overcook the pasta when boiling to avoid mushy baked ziti.
- Cover with foil during initial baking to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.