Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Sausage and Spinach
A comforting twist on classic baked ziti featuring pumpkin puree, Italian sausage, and fresh spinach for a unique flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in pumpkin puree, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, sausage-pumpkin mixture, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella.
- Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize with different vegetables or a lighter sausage option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
