Baked Ziti

This is a delicious, flavorful ziti dish that is perfect for so many occasions. I usually divide the recipe into 2 separate dishes (9x9 or 8x8 dishes) and freeze one, or take one to a friend. It is a hearty dish and you can always trade out the ground turkey with ground beef or sausage.

Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ground Turkey (adapted from Your Home-based Mom)

1 pound ground turkey (or ground beef or sausage)
1/2 C chopped onion
2 tbsp minced garlic (or 3 large garlic cloves, chopped)
1 28-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 C pesto (optional)

10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked
4 cups or hand fulls of baby spinach leaves
6 ounces grated or cubed mozzarella cheese
1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook meat, onion and garlic in large skillet until meat is cooked through. Add tomatoes with juices. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

Bring mixture back to simmer before continuing.
Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish.

Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl.

Stir in warm-hot tomato mixture.

Place in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over.

Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes. Enjoy!