Baked Ziti with Spinach and Sausage

 

1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausages

1/2 C chopped onion

3 large garlic cloves, chopped

1 28-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes

1/4 C. pesto

10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked

4 cups or handfuls of baby spinach leaves

6 ounces grated or cubed mozzarella cheese

1 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Cook sausage, onion and garlic until sausage 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.  You can prepare up to this point a day ahead and refrigerate. 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  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.