Ingredients

The following ingredients have 6 Servings
  • 300g / 10 oz ziti pasta, (uncooked, or other short pasta of choice)
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (, shredded (or more! For topping))
  • 1 lb / 500 g ricotta ((Note 1))
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (, grated)
  • 2 garlic cloves (, crushed)
  • 350g / 12oz frozen chopped spinach, (thawed and excess liquid pressed out )
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (, shredded)
  • 3/4 tsp salt & pepper
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves (, minced)
  • 700g / 24oz tomato passata ((1 standard bottle) (Note 2))
  • 1 tsp EACH onion and garlic powder
  • 2 tsp dried Italian Mixed Herbs ((Note 3))
  • 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes (, to taste (optional))
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp water ((if needed))
  • Parmesan cheese (, grated)

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
  • Pasta Sauce: Pour out about 1/4 cup of the passata (to make room to add flavourings). Add the remaining Pasta Sauce ingredients into the bottle, screw the lid on and give it a shake.
  • Cook pasta for time per packet MINUS 1 minute. 
  • SCOOP OUT 1 mugful pasta cooking water, drain and set aside.
  • Ricotta Mixture - Mix Ricotta Mixture ingredients in a very large bowl. Use a splash of pasta cooking water if needed to make it creamy.
  • Add pasta and stir to combine. Transfer to a heatproof baking dish.
  • Top with Pasta Sauce, top with cheese. Loosely cover with foil.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for a further 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve while hot and fresh!