![Baked ziti casserole with sausage, spinach, and melted cheese](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/uEqHI06ZzNGxbZ6q5JZ34LX3SvQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ALR-sausage-and-spinach-baked-ziti-recipe-7375475-hero-01-ddmfs-4x3-25d99b31b54941bb95b45d0a5188d292.jpg)
Ingredients
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1 pound ziti pasta
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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10 ounces bulk Italian sausage
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1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, divided
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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1 1/2 cups spinach, chopped
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15 ounces ricotta cheese
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2 tablespoons heavy cream
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8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes, divided
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6 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
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1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
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1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
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1 tablespoon chopped basil, or as needed for garnish (optional)
Directions
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Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
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Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in ziti and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until they just start to become tender, about 5 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
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Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat and cook and stir Italian sausage, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until it is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes.
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Reserve 1/3 cup crushed tomatoes and pour remaining tomatoes into sausage. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and spinach. Cook for 10 minutes.
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Combine ricotta, heavy cream, 4 ounces cubed mozzarella cheese, 4 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese, and garlic granules in a bowl. Season with salt.
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Add the cooked sausage mixture and ricotta mixture to the pasta and toss well. If mixture seems too thick, stir in reserved pasta water 2 tablespoons at a time.
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Spread the reserved 1/3 cup crushed tomatoes into the bottom of the casserole dish. Pour half of pasta in an even layer over tomatoes and top with 1/2 of the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
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Bake ziti in the preheated oven until cheese is lightly golden brown and pasta is heated through, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil.
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
491 | Calories |
30g | Fat |
23g | Carbs |
32g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 8 | |
Calories 491 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 30g | 39% |
Saturated Fat 15g | 76% |
Cholesterol 84mg | 28% |
Sodium 1261mg | 55% |
Total Carbohydrate 23g | 8% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 13% |
Total Sugars 7g | |
Protein 32g | 65% |
Vitamin C 13mg | 15% |
Calcium 672mg | 52% |
Iron 4mg | 23% |
Potassium 775mg | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.