Prep Time::35 mins
Cook Time::40 mins
Total Time:: 1 hr 15 mins
Servings::8 servings
Ingredients
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1 pound ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups spinach, chopped
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes, divided
6 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon chopped basil, or as needed for garnish (optional)
Directions
Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
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Spray a 9×13-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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