Unforgettable Spinach Ziti Recipe

Name: Unforgettable Spinach Ziti
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (16 ounce) box ziti pasta; 12 lb ground beef; 12 lb country sausage; 32 ounces spaghetti sauce (use primavera for more veggies); 1 12 lbs monterey jack cheese, shredded; 1 lb small curd cottage cheese; 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated; 1 lb frozen spinach (thawed & squeeze drained); 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce; 2 bell peppers, diced (green, yellow or red); 2 onions, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; ½ cup carrot, shredded; ½ cup mushroom, sliced

Servings: persons

1 (16 ounce) box ziti pasta
12 lb ground beef
12 lb country sausage
32 ounces spaghetti sauce (use primavera for more veggies)
1 12 lbs monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 lb small curd cottage cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 lb frozen spinach (thawed & squeeze drained)
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 bell peppers, diced (green, yellow or red)
2 onions, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup carrot, shredded
½ cup mushroom, sliced

1
Cook ziti according to package instructions, rinse and set aside.
2
Mix sausage & ground beef together and cook in a skillet until done and crumbled.
3
Drain, and set aside.
4
Saute onions & peppers until almost done, then add garlic & optional carrots and mushrooms, and cook an additional 5 minutes.
5
Add spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and sauteed vegetables to meat.
6
Stir and cook on medium heat about 30 minutes.
7
Spray lg baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
8
Spread layer of sauce mixture on bottom of pan.
9
Layer with 1/2 of ziti noodles, then 1/2 of the cottage cheese, then 1/2 of the well drained spinach, then 1/3 of the shredded jack cheese, then 1/3 of the parmesan cheese.
10
Pack down with your hands or with a large heavy metal spoon.
11
Cover with more sauce, then repeat layering; ziti, cottage cheese, spinach, jack cheese, and parmesan.
12
Cover with more sauce, then top with remaining 1/3 jack cheese and 1/3 parmesan cheese.
13
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, making sure cheese doesn't burn.

4452

kcal

Calories

326

Fat

Carbs

291

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 (16 ounce) box ziti pasta, 12 lb ground beef, 12 lb country sausage, 32 ounces spaghetti sauce (use primavera for more veggies), and more.

Yes, Unforgettable Spinach Ziti falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Unforgettable Spinach Ziti

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions