Indulge in the comforting flavors of our Sausage Spinach Ziti, a perfect blend of savory Italian sausage, nutritious spinach, and creamy cheeses layered with tender ziti pasta. Ideal for a hearty family meal or a cozy get-together, this dish will fill your home with delicious aromas and satisfy any appetite.
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients for Sausage Spinach Ziti:
- Ziti Pasta: 1 pound
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Italian Sausage (bulk): 10 ounces
- Crushed Tomatoes: 28 ounces, divided
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Italian Seasoning: 1/2 teaspoon
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon
- Spinach: 1 1/2 cups, chopped
- Ricotta Cheese: 15 ounces
- Heavy Cream: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: 8 ounces, cubed, divided
- Parmesan Cheese: 6 ounces, shredded, divided
- Granulated Garlic: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon or to taste
- Chopped Basil: 1 tablespoon, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Sausage Spinach Ziti:
Preparing the Pasta:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add the ziti, and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for later use.
Sautéing the Sausage:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add 2/3 of the crushed tomatoes (reserve the remainder), minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and spinach. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
Assembling the Dish:
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, heavy cream, half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and granulated garlic. Season with salt. Mix this with the cooked pasta and sausage. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
Spread the remaining crushed tomatoes in the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the pasta mixture over the tomatoes, sprinkle with the remaining cheeses, and repeat the layering.
Baking:
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Enjoy your homemade Sausage Spinach Ziti, a robust and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit at any dining table.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 491
- Total Fat: 30g (Saturated Fat: 15g)
- Cholesterol: 84mg
- Sodium: 1261mg
- Carbohydrates: 23g (Fiber: 4g, Sugars: 7g)
- Protein: 32g