Baked Ziti
This is a classic Italian dish and a staple in my household. Its great for entertaining, potlucks or even just a quiet night in with the family. With cheap and easily obtainable ingredients this dish is very easy to make--and let the kids help make while maintaining savory and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 LBS Ziti – Penne is also an acceptable substitution. I feel it is a hardier noodle that allows the sauce and cheese to stick better due to the ridges.
- 24oz Ricotta – Any Brand
- ½ LBS Mild Italian Sausage (Optional)
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 6 leaves of Basil, minced
- 24oz Jarred Tomato Sauce – Any brand and you prefer works. Or if you have a homemade, red sauce that works just as well too.
- 4 cups mozzarella
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- Salt and Pepper
- Aluminum Foil
- Large mixing bowl
- 9x13 baking dish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Make pasta as directed on box. Only cook to al dente. It is very important not to overcook the pasta as it will cook more in the oven.
- Brown Sausage, drain well.
- As the pasta cooks combine ricotta, egg, sausage and basil in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Add 2 cups of the mozzarella as well as salt and pepper to taste and mix again.
- Once pasta is al dente, completely drain and add into ricotta mixture. It is easier to add the pasta in thirds, to ensure even coating of ricotta mixture.
- Now that the pasta is completely coated, cover the bottom of your baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce.
- Spread the pasta mixture over the thin layer of sauce. Top pasta with the remainder of the sauce, use a spoon to spread it evenly.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes, sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the top. Return to oven until cheese is completely melted.
- Allow to rest for 10 minutes out of the oven before serving. Then enjoy!
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