baked ziti with spinach and tomatoes

Feeds 4-6

ingredients

• 1 lb hot italian sausage (no casing)
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, diced
• large can of diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of pesto
• 1 lb box of ziti or penne
• 8 cups of fresh spinach
• 6 oz mozzarella, cubed
• 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan

instructions

1. Pre heat oven to 375.
2. In heavy large sauté pan over medium high heat add sausage, onion and garlic.
3. Sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes with juice to pan and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
5. Stir in pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead, just cover and refrigerate and simply bring to simmer before continuing.)
6. Grease 13x9 glass baking dish.
7. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 of the fresh parmesan cheese in a large bowl.
8. Stir in hot tomato/sausage mixture. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
9. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over.
10. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheese melts, about 30 minutes.