suemunzlinger's Recipe

Baked Zita

Category: Main Dish

1 pound ziti
1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed ( I like Turkey sausage)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
large jar of pasta sauce
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 (9-ounce) package washed spinach (stems and veins removed)torn into bite size pieces.

Butter, for baking dish
2 cups shredded mozzarella, plus more for topping
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan, plus more for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.


Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add ziti and cook according to package directions. Drain in a colander.


In a large skillet over medium heat, saute turkey sausage. Add onion and garlic and saute until the sausage is cooked through. Use your spoon to break up the sausage while it cooks. Add the pasta sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.


Add the ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan and mozzarella to a large bowl, and stir to combine.


Butter a 4-quart baking dish, add the cooked pasta, sausage mixture and cheese mixture. Top with a sprinkling of mozzarella and Parmesan.


Bake until completely heated through and golden and crisp on top, about 20 minutes.