Recipe Wednesday: Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil                                                                1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

3 cloves garlic, minced                                                   salt & pepper to taste

1 large onion, diced                                                         16 oz ziti or mostaccioli 

1 lb italian sausage                                                         1 15 oz size ricotta cheese

    1 lb ground beef                                                 1 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese - grated

1 28oz can whole tomatoes with juice                           1/2 c grated parmesan cheese

 2 14.5oz cans tomato sauce OR marinara sauce             1 whole egg 

2 tsp italian seasoning                                                    fresh minced parsley

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for several minutes, or unti l starting to soften. Add sausage and beef and cook until browned. Drain off fat. 

Add tomatoes, juice, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, & red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer for 25-30 minutes. After that, remove 3-4 cups of sauce to a different bowl to cool down.

Preheat oven to 375*

In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of mozarella, parmesan, egg and salt & pepper. Stir a couple of times - do not mix completely.

Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine. Add the cooled meat sauce and toss to combine. 

Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top. Then top with half of the remaining mozarella cheese. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta, the sauce, and mozarella. 

Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Garnish with chopped parsley over the pasta before serving.

Happy Baking!

Make it a great one!

 Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!