Baked Ziti with Spinach and Meat

Ingredients

• 1 package ziti pasta , 16 ounce
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 4 cloves garlic , minced, divided
• 2 jars spaghetti sauce , 26 ounce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 ounces baby spinach
• 1 container ricotta cheese , 16 ounce
• 0.25 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• salt to taste
• 6 ounces provolone cheese , sliced
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 package shredded mozzarella cheese , 8 ounce

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic in the hot skillet until beef is until browned and onion is wilted, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. 4

   While meat sauce is simmering, heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

5. 5

   Mix together ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and wilted spinach in a large bowl until well combined. Season with salt.

6. 6

   Place 1/2 of the ziti in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish and layer with 1/2 of the meat sauce. Spread provolone cheese on top to form a flat surface. Spread spinach mixture over the top, then cover with remaining ziti and meat sauce. Top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and sprinkle mozzarella over top.

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let firm up for at least 10 minutes before serving.