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Baked Ziti with Greens

A great make now, bake later dish, baked Ziti (gluten free, if desired) can be assembled and baked when everyone gets home. Make as either a main dish or a side.
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Ingredients
  

  • Olive oil for the pan
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1-2 hot peppers to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
  • 2 c crushed tomatoes
  • 1 t dried basil
  • 1 t dried oregano
  • 1 c cooked chopped greens - spinach rabe, chard, etc. (opt.)
  • 1 c ricotta
  • 1/2 pound shaped pasta ziti, penne, cooked
  • 4 oz mozzarella sliced thin

Instructions
 

  • First, make the pasta sauce.
  • Heat a saute pan, heat the oil, and saute onion and peppers. When they are soft, add the garlic.
  • Add the crushed tomato. Add the herbs, and stir them in. Simmer the sauce at least 10 minutes, to meld the flavor - longer if it won't rest before use.
  • Stir in chopped cooked greens.
  • Cook the pasta. Drain.
  • At this point, you can hold everything for an hour or so. If it will wait longer, refrigerate it.
  • Preheat the oven to 350.
  • Stir the ricotta into the sauce. Stir in the cooked pasta. Place the mixture in a 2 quart baking dish. Arrange the mozzarella over it, to nearly cover.
  • Bake at 350 for 15 - 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden, and it is heated through. (Time will vary by the original temperature of the ingredients.)
  • Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving.