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Baked Ziti

Amanda Cooks & Styles
5 from 25 votes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb ground beef
  • ½ lb. ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup celery thinly sliced
  • 2 roma tomatoes diced
  • 2 cup spinach stems removed
  • ½ lg. onion chopped
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • ½ cup mozzarella grated
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions
 

Directions:

  • In a cast iron skillet (or an oven safe skillet), over medium heat, add olive oil, ground beef, onion, celery, salt and pepper. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and veggies are soft.
  • Add diced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil, and oregano. Cover and continue to cook over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are soft. Add two cups of spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, covered, until spinach is cooked down.
  • Add tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, crushed red peppers and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 15 more minutes to let the flavors develop into the sauce.
  • While the pasta sauce is cooking, cook ziti pasta according to package instructions for "al dente".
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Toss cooked ziti into your finished sauce and stir to combine. Top with grated mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, until top is nice and golden. Then remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Enjoy!
Keyword baked ziti, pasta
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