# List of Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
→ Meat
02 - 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
→ Vegetables
03 - 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
06 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
07 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 large egg
→ Sauce
10 - 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
06 - Pour marinara sauce into the skillet and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Remove from heat afterward.
07 - In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season lightly with salt and pepper, mixing until smooth.
08 - In a large bowl, gently toss cooked pasta with the sausage-spinach sauce, ricotta mixture, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until evenly blended.
09 - Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
10 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 375°F.
11 - Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
12 - Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and ease slicing.
