Pesto and Sausage Baked Ziti
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
8 Servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Pesto and Sausage Baked Ziti
Description
This baked ziti starts by cooking ziti pasta until just tender. In a skillet, turkey sausage is cooked with chopped onion and garlic to develop a savory base. Diced tomatoes and basil pesto are added to create a flavorful sauce, with salt and pepper adjusting seasoning. Fresh baby spinach is incorporated and wilts into the sauce, adding mild earthiness and nutrition.
The cheese mixture combines ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan to provide creaminess and richness. The cooked pasta is combined with the sauce and cheese mixture in a prepared baking dish. This assembly bakes at 375 degrees F until heated through and the top is golden with melted cheese.
This casserole makes a satisfying meal that balances the hearty, spiced sausage with the brightness of pesto and tender vegetables. The use of lean turkey sausage keeps the dish lighter, and substituting pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni is possible. Store-bought or homemade pesto can be used, but the pesto flavor will be prominent in the finished dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound turkey sausage casings removed, Italian or chicken sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup pesto
- 9 ounces baby spinach
- 15- ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 ½ cups Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ziti and cook until al dente. Drain.
- While the pasta is boiling, in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add the turkey sausage, onion and garlic and cook until the sausage is cooked through, adding a bit of salt and pepper to taste (the amount will depend on the seasonings in the sausage). While it cooks, break up the sausage into smaller pieces. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the diced tomatoes, pesto and salt and pepper to taste (I added about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Simmer for 10-12 minutes. Add the spinach, stirring until it cooks down a bit into the hot sauce, 1-2 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese and 1 1/4 cups of the Parmesan cheese.
- In the prepared baking dish, pour in the drained noodles. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the top of the noodles. Spread the sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining cheese (1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan).
- Bake until heated through and golden around the edges, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5-7 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Lean turkey or chicken sausage with removable casing works best; if substituting pork or other sausage, drain excess grease carefully.
- Ziti pasta can be replaced with rigatoni or penne if desired.
- The 9 ounces of baby spinach equals about 5 cups loosely packed; it wilts significantly during cooking.
- Use a pesto flavor you enjoy, as it strongly influences the final dish; homemade or store-bought options both work.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 724kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 1480mg | 62% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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