Baked Ziti

Notes

  • We do not put cheese in this anymore, it really is better without it.
  • If you double the recipe to use a gigantic can of crushed tomatoes, you can use the pot from cooking the pasta along with the big pan to cook the ziti before baking.

Ingredients

  • 1 head of garlic, minced (bigger the better)
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 lb italian sausage (looks like a square of ground beef, not in casings)
  • 2 cans of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
  • 1/2 clear container of baby spinach (~16 oz)
  • 1 box of ziti pasta (1 lb)
  • Oregano to taste
  • Red pepper flakes to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil

Step-By-Step Directions

  1. Boil water for pasta.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. Medium dice the onions.
  4. Mince garlic.
  5. Open cans of tomatoes.
  6. Salt the boiling water and add pasta. Cook for 3 minutes less than al dente suggested cooking time.
  7. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain pasta.
  8. Heat a large pan to medium-high. Add olive oil, and cook sausage with onion, garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, salt and pepper for 6-8 minutes until meat is browned; stirring frequently.
  9. Add crushed tomatoes and stir to combine.
  10. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
  11. Season sauce to taste. Add pasta water if the sauce has become too thick.
  12. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
  13. Stir in drained pasta and heat together for about a minute.
  14. Pour pasta mixture into 9×13 inch baking dish.
  15. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.

Website Link

Baked Ziti – Smitten Kitchen