BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES image

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 28 ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
10 ounces ziti, freshly cooked
8 cups ready-to-use spinach leaves(about 2/3 of 10-ounce package
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and saute until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixure to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over. Bake 30 minutes.