Baked Ziti with Spinach and Meat

This recipe lasts my family of four for at least three meals when served with a dinner salad and crusty Italian bread. It is wonderful Italian comfort food.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 503 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces baby spinach
• 1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic in the hot skillet until beef is until browned and onion is wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 4

While the meat sauce is simmering, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Step 5

Mix ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and wilted spinach in a bowl. Season with salt.

Step 6

Place 1/2 of the ziti in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and layer with 1/2 of the meat sauce. Spread provolone cheese on top to form a flat surface. Spread spinach mixture over top, then cover with remaining ziti and meat sauce. Top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and sprinkle mozzarella over top.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let firm up for at least 10 minutes before serving.