BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND SPINACH
Baked ziti is meant to feed a crowd, and this one surely does. "Cheater" meatballs made with uncased Italian sausage are strewn throughout the sauce for heft, and baby spinach lends a pop of color. Because ricotta has a tendency to dry out when baked, crème fraîche is added to ensure a more velvety texture, but sour cream thinned out with a little heavy cream works just as well. The whole dish can be assembled and baked ahead the day before. Bring it to room temperature before warming, then broil right before serving for crisp edges.
Provided by Colu Henry
Categories dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Using your hands, shape the sausage into about 35 (1-inch) meatballs.
- In a deep 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Working in two batches, fry the meatballs until golden all over, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan or platter. Cook the onion until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet, gently crushing them. Stir in the meatballs, bring to a simmer and cook, 20 minutes. Gently fold in the spinach, tossing until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain pasta.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, crème fraîche and half the pecorino. Season with salt and pepper. Stir half the meatball sauce into the ricotta mixture. Add pasta and toss together to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that's at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Top with the remaining meatball sauce, the mozzarella and the remaining pecorino. Place uncovered baking dish on a sheet tray and bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Turn heat to broil and cook until the cheese and pasta brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't walk away; the cheese can burn very quickly!) Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 567, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 906 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
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Issa
[email protected]This was a great recipe! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. The spinach added a nice touch of color and flavor. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
Jani Wadho
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and turned out delicious! The meatballs were especially good, and the sauce was flavorful and cheesy. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
Dianne Mallery
[email protected]This was a great recipe! The meatballs were moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. The spinach added a nice touch of color and flavor. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
Alireza Mohseni
[email protected]This dish was amazing! The meatballs were so flavorful and the sauce was perfect. I will definitely be making this again.
Azeez Zion
[email protected]The meatballs were a bit bland, but the sauce was delicious. I would recommend adding more seasoning to the meatballs next time.
Sun
[email protected]This dish was a bit too heavy for my taste. The meatballs were a bit dry and the sauce was a bit too thick. I think I would have liked it better if I had used a different type of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni.
Elioba Massawe
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The meatballs were juicy and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. The spinach added a nice touch of color and flavor. This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal.
Alkea Osmani
[email protected]This baked ziti was easy to make and turned out great! The meatballs were especially good, and the sauce was flavorful and cheesy. I would definitely recommend this recipe.
AHAD AMAN
[email protected]I made this dish last night and it was delicious! The meatballs were so moist and flavorful, and the sauce was rich and creamy. I loved the addition of the spinach, which added a nice touch of freshness. This is definitely a dish that I will be makin
Frankie Uzu
[email protected]This baked ziti was a hit with my family! The sausage meatballs were flavorful and tender, and the spinach added a nice pop of color and nutrients. The dish was easy to make and didn't require any special ingredients. I will definitely be making this