Spinach Beef Ziti Bake

I love a good casserole, something you can make ahead of time, and throw into the oven on a busy day. Ziti tossed with ground beef, tomatoes, and spinach, topped with mozzarella – a half hour in the oven, and dinner’s ready!

• 1 box of ziti
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 – 28 oz. can Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 – 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1. In a Dutch oven, combine the beef, onion, carrots, and celery – cook over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink; drain.
2. Add the tomatoes, salt, garlic powder, pepper, oregano to the beef mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Cook the ziti, drain and add to the Dutch oven along with the spinach, stir to combine. Pour half into a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, top with the remaining pasta, then the rest of the mozzarella. Bake, uncovered at 350º for 30 minutes until heated through. Serves 6.