Low Fat Baked Pasta with Spinach by Dawn

Ingredients: 

• 12 oz uncooked pasta such as Ziti (I used Penne for swap)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 8 oz fat-free ricotta (OR fat-free/low fat cottage cheese, which I used for swap 12 oz)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups (8 oz) shredded part skim mozzarella
• olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil spray.
In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to instructions until al dente.Drain and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add olive oil and sauté garlic. Add chopped spinach, salt pepper and crushed tomatoes. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper. 
Add sauce to the pasta and combine the ziti. Add half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and ricotta OR cottage cheese. Mix well then transfer to the baking pan.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and the edges are lightly browned. Let it cool 5 minutes, then cut it into 8 equal portions.