Unforgettable Spinach Ziti |
|
 |
Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 45 Minutes |
Ready In: 75 Minutes Servings: 8 |
|
I usually double this recipe because everyone loves it so much and it reheats well. A friend of mine says it freezes well, but it never lasts long enough in my house to find out. Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) box ziti pasta |
1/2 lb ground beef |
1/2 lb country sausage |
32 ounces spaghetti sauce (use primavera for more veggies) |
1 1/2 lbs monterey jack cheese, shredded |
1 lb small curd cottage cheese |
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated |
1 lb frozen spinach (thawed & squeeze drained) |
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes |
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce |
2 bell peppers, diced (green, yellow or red) |
2 onions, diced |
4 garlic cloves, minced |
1/2 cup carrot, shredded |
1/2 cup mushroom, sliced |
Directions:
1. Cook ziti according to package instructions, rinse and set aside.
2. Mix sausage & ground beef together and cook in a skillet until done and crumbled.
3. Drain, and set aside.
4. Saute onions & peppers until almost done, then add garlic & optional carrots and mushrooms, and cook an additional 5 minutes.
5. Add spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and sauteed vegetables to meat.
6. Stir and cook on medium heat about 30 minutes.
7. Spray lg baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
8. Spread layer of sauce mixture on bottom of pan.
9. Layer with 1/2 of ziti noodles, then 1/2 of the cottage cheese, then 1/2 of the well drained spinach, then 1/3 of the shredded jack cheese, then 1/3 of the parmesan cheese.
10. Pack down with your hands or with a large heavy metal spoon.
11. Cover with more sauce, then repeat layering; ziti, cottage cheese, spinach, jack cheese, and parmesan.
12. Cover with more sauce, then top with remaining 1/3 jack cheese and 1/3 parmesan cheese.
13. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, making sure cheese doesn't burn.
|
|