Baked Ziti

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baked ziti recipe

Baked Ziti

Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 to 3 Italian Sausages Tear the meat apart
  • 1 (1 LB) Box of Ziti Pasta or any tubular pasta
  • 1 (24 oz ) Jar of Marinara Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Non-Stick Cooking Spray
  • 4 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 1/2 cup of One Small Onion = 1/2chopped onion
  • 1 (15 oz) Container Ricotta Cheese = only need half
  • 2 (16 oz each) Bags of Shredded Mozarella Cheese only need about 1 1/2 bags
  • 1 (5 oz) Block Parmesan Cheese shredded
  • 1 XL Egg
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • A few handfuls of Fresh Basil Chopped

For the Meat Seasoning:

  • 1/2 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
  • 1//8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Pinch of Red Chili Flakes ( optional

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Bring a pot of water to boil . Add a round of salt.
  • Boil the Ziti noodles for 8 minutes and any other tubular noodles for 9 minutes.
  • Drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl add the ricotta cheese (7.5 oz ) , 1 1/2 cups shredded mozarella cheese, 1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese, 1 egg , pinch of salt & black pepper, pinch of red chili flakes (optional ), and a handful of chopped fresh basil. Add the cooked noodles and mix together. Set aside.
  • In a pan over Medium-High heat add the olive oil.
  • Once the pan is hot add the minced garlic then the chopped onions. Saute until onions are slightly translucent.
  • Add the Italian Sausages.
  • Add the meat seasonings, 1/2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning, 1/4 Garlic Salt , 1/8 Black Pepper and Pinch of Red Chili Flakes (optional ).
  • Stir to combine everything.
  • Cook until the meat is browned.
  • Pour in the jar of marinara sauce and bring to a boil.
  • Cover and reduce the heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Once the meat sauce is done cooking add 1 cup of the meat sauce to the already cooked pasta and mix.
  • Coat the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray.
  • Ladle a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Transfer the noodles to the baking dish.
  • Ladle the remainder of the meat sauce over the noodles.
  • Top with 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozarella cheese and 1 1/2 cups of shredded parmesan cheese.
  • Add a handful or two of fresh chopped basil.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
  • Place the baking dish into the pre-heated oven.
  • Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • After 20 minutes remove the aluminum foil.
  • Turn the heat to Broil and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes.
  • Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.