Baked Ziti

I am long over-due for posting a recipe for you. This is a recipe for Baked Ziti that I have made countless times over the years and I know you will love. Whenever a girlfriend is having a baby- this is the meal that gets made. It's increadibly easy and relatively quick to make. I originally found this recipe on the side of a cottage cheese container (can you believe it?) I normally double the recipe below and put it in a 13x9 inch pan. Also, this recipe freezes great. Just make it as called for and put in the freezer instead of the oven. This recipe has changed a bit over the years, but I think you'll really like it. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to make it~

Baked Ziti
8 oz Ziti
1/2 lb extra lean ground turkey or beef (optional)
2 onions, chopped
1/2 Tbsp. garlic, diced
3 cups Spaghetti Sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2-1 Cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 qt baking dish (9x9 pan) with non-stick cooking spray. Cook ziti according to package directions and set aside. In a medium sautee pan on medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add meat and italian seasoning and cook until cooked throughout.  Add spaghetti sauce to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley  & garlic powder. Mix thoroughly. Add Ziti to cottage cheese mixture. Spread 1/3 of meat mixture on the bottom of the pan. Spoon Ziti mixture into the pan and add remaining sauce to the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and add the cheese & cook another 4-5 minutes (with no foil), just long enough to melt the cheese. Enjoy!!

*The great thing about this recipe is that you can make a healthier version by using whole wheat pasta, non-fat cottage cheese, omitting the meat (I've made it this way and it's just as good) and getting a low-calorie cheese. Either way- both are delicious!

I have this picture of Henry on my desktop and love being able to look at it everyday. We took this picture when we were in Boston. It was taken out on Route 2 near Concord. It's a farm that we used to go to when we lived there. They have the most amazing selection of pumpkins, gourds, indian corn- you name it. You can pay .25 cents to get fish food and feed the little fish in a pond nearby. I love all these things about Fall... harvests, cornucopias, indian corn, corn husks... although I do have to admit this to you... I listened to some Christmas music today.  Egads! It was a bit strange. Especially because it's been soo hot here. It was 90 degrees on Tuesday and so Henry & I biked over to the pool and had ourselves a swim. It doesn't feel like Christmas when it's this hot.. probably because it's not Christmas. It's not even Thanksgiving yet and I am getting way ahead of myself here. I am excited for Thanksgiving. We have some family that are driving down to see us this year (Thank you!) and we are looking forward to being able to stay home for this holiday. I love that even though Halloween is over, there is still an excuse to keep the pumpkins out. And who can beat the Macy's day parade? (Chris...he can beat it. He's not much of a parade man). I'm still kicking myself for all those years that we lived in Boston and never went down to NYC for Thanksgiving to see the parade. Oh well- luckily for me, I can just watch it from the comfort of my own home. Goodness- I've just realized Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks from today! Must start working on the menu! Have a wonderful weekend!  Now go make yourself some pasta and snuggle up to a good movie this weekend! xoxo~

Comments

[Apriel Jenkins]

I'm going to try your ziti, I've never made it with ricotta. But everything else. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Raani Starnes]

Sounds great! I'm going to make it tonight, but I might use ricotta cheese. I had baked ziti once at a potluck and always wondered how to make it. Thanks for posting that.

[Raani Starnes]

Sounds great! I'm going to make it tonight, but I might use ricotta cheese. I had baked ziti once at a potluck and always wondered how to make it. Thanks for posting that.

[lori]

So, it looks like I'm almost a year behind with this recipe. I made it today and the whole family gobbled it up! Loved it!
Thanks.

[Stacy]

Made the Baked Ziti last week and my husband loved it. Reminded him of having it at boarding school. It is now on a permanent recipe card in my recipe box. Thanks for sharing! Oh, and the Cherry Chicken Lettuce Wraps rocked too!

[Betsey]

By the way, your pasta was SUCH a hit at the munch and mingle/linger longer thing. Seriously delicious! I loved it myself! Also, we make your Sunday Pasta (which I call Morgan Moore Pasta) is Richard's favorite thing in the world. He totally loves it! We also made it for Carolyn Soto after Pierce was born...Carolyn and Abe loved it too AND Abe said it reminded him of Italy :) Go Morgan Go!

[Betsey]

Have you seen this store opening in LA this weekend, It looks kind of cool!

http://reformschoolrules.com/

(I'm in class and they are doing group presentations, I'm totally not paying attention)

[Mom]

I used to make lasagna with "raw" noodles. I poured a little water around the edge of the pan, covered it with foil and baked it. Came out perfect everytime and saved time. I think it's worth a trial run on the Ziti.

Morgan ... can't wait to spend next week with you guys. It'll be fun, fun, fun.

Love you all!!

[matt]

p.s. my friend shannon made your ministrone soup and LOVED it. go, team!

[matt]

can you make the baked ziti without cooking the noodles first? i once tried to make a variation of this recipe and i cooked the noodles first, then baked 'em, and they turned to mush (or it could just be that i'm retarded, which is probably the case).

love the picture of henry. more! more!

[Roz]

ok, whats ziti?

[Judy in Carefree]

Thanks for sharing. I am about to make the Butternut Squash Soup and now I have something new to make later in the week.
Yea!