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Lasagna-style Baked Ziti

adapted from Real Simple Best Recipes: Easy, Delicious Meals ^[1]

Dinner | Servings: 6-8
Prep time: 15 min | Cook time: 16 min | Total time: 31 min

Ingredients

• 10 oz. uncooked ziti (about 4 cups)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 (26 oz.) jar marinara sauce*
• 1 bunch spinach, thick stems removed (about 4 cups)
• 4-6 oz. goat cheese, crumbled**
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella (whole-milk is best if you want it good and melt-y)

* I thought it could use more sauce (1/2 to 1 cup), so you may want to get another bottle of marinara sauce or you could just add some tomato sauce.

** I used the whole package of goat cheese that I had, which was 5 oz., but I saw other brands that were 4 or 6 oz. I really don’t think you can go wrong by using more goat cheese in this, so get as large a package as you can afford! If goat cheese isn’t your thing, you can use 1/2 cup ricotta cheese instead.

Process

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). Cook ziti according to package directions. Drain pasta and return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the beef, salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
4. Add spinach leaves to the skillet and cook, stirring regularly, until they start to wilt, about 2-3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
5. In the skillet or a large bowl, mix together the pasta, marinara sauce, beef mixture, goat cheese, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan.
6. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour mixture in and sprinkle with the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 3-6 minutes more or until all the cheese melts.