Mom's Recipe: Southern Style Baked Ziti

I haven't tried this yet, but my mom swears that she's served it several times and the guests love it, so here goes. Report back if you make it and what you thought of it.

Southern Style Baked Ziti

Serves 10

• 1lb box of ziti, or penne or rotelle
• 1lb. ground Italian sausage
• 1 med. onion, chopped
• 2 carrot,s grated
• 3 celery sticks, chopped
• Garlic to taste (chopped)
• 1 can of whole tomatoes (crushed) (28 oz can)
• 6 oz. of basil pesto
• 15 oz. of ricotta cheese
• 9 oz. fresh spinach
• 16 oz. mozzarella shredded
• 12 oz. shredded Italian cheeses

Cook the pasta till al dente. Set aside.

Brown sausage in a pan, then remove and add onion, celery, and carrots with garlic in some olive oil. Sauté till limp.

Add tomatoes, pesto and the ricotta and simmer.  Add to the sauté pan. 

In a separate container mix the washed spinach, the Italian chesses. 

Layer the pasta mix and spinach into glass baking dishes coated with pam. Sprinkle the mozzarella on top and bake at 375F for approx. 20 min till the cheese is golden and melted.