Meatball and Spinach Baked Ziti

6-8 Servings

2 cups ziti
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/4 c. panko breadcrumbs
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 large egg
1 tbl canola or vegetable oil
1/4 c. dry red wine (opt)
1 (24 oz) jar marinara (or recipe, below)
2 bunches spinach, stems discarded and leaves torn (about 4 cups)
3 Tbl chopped fresh basil
sliced olives to taste (opt)--stir in before adding mozzarella
8 oz shredded mozzarella
Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease a 2 qt baking dish.
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.  Set aside. Mix ground
Beef, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, salt, and pepperin a bowl.  Shape into 30 or so small meatballs.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 6-8 minutes.  Stir in wine, gently scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Stir in marinara, spinach and basil and fold in pasta.  mozzarella cheese over all and bake til melty and bubbly around edges, 25-30 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


Marinara Sauce
2 Tbl olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp oregano, dried
1 whole bay leaf
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
Over medium heat, heat oil in large pot until hot.  Add onion and garlic, saute 3-5 minutes until soft but not browned..Add tomatoes, stir to mingle flavors.  Add oregano and bay leaf.  Sprinke in sugar, salt and pepper.  Lower heat and continue to simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered.  Stir occasionally.  Remove bay leaf.