Chessy Baked Ziti

 

I will pretty much eat anything that involves pasta! I LOVE pasta!! This recipe is a great comfort food!! Serve it up with a nice side salad and some yummy garlic bread! YUM!

 

Let's get started!

 

I make mine more like a lasagna kinda feel! So what you will need is: A jar of your favorite sauce, Ziti Noodles, Mozzarella Cheese, Ricotta, Egg, Parmesan Cheese and ground beef {which I do not have shown in this picture....it was cooking already}! LOTS of cheese ;)

 

First cook and drain your noodles, then pour them into a greased 13x9 baking dish {Save about 1/4 of the noodles for the top} *Also side note: I would suggest to add a couple spoonful's of sauce to the bottom of the dish before pouring in your noodles*

 

Cook up your ground beef and drain...then layer it on top of your noodles

 

Now add your jar of sauce, pour that right over top your ground beef {saving again about 1/3 of the sauce for the top}

 

Now your ricotta mixture on top of that {which is just a container of ricotta, 1 egg, mozzarella cheese and some parmesan cheese}  

 

Then the remaining noodles {I didn't save enough, LOL}

 

Now add the remaining sauce you saved and cover it with tin foil {I didn't do this and it defiantly would have made it much juicier}

 

Bake it for about 30-35 minutes and then take it out and uncover it

 

Add your mozzarella cheese and throw it back in the oven for about 10-15 minutes

 

Until your cheese is nice and melted and starting to get golden brown! YUM!!

 

 



 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of  ziti cooked and drained
• 1lb ground beef cooked and drained
• 24oz. Jar of your favorite sauce
• 1 (15 oz) container of ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1-1 1/2 cups for the top
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to oven to 350°F
Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Add a couple big spoonful's of marinara sauce to the dish. Pour in half to 3/4 of the pasta and toss well. Layer your ground beef over noodles. Pour your sauce over top of the noodles and beef, reserving about 1/4-1/3 of the sauce for on the very top. Now mix together your ricotta, 1/2 cup of your mozzarella cheese and your parmesan cheese. Spoon the ricotta mixture over top of the sauce, as best that you can. Now pour the remaining noodles on top and then the remaining sauce.
Cover lightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Then remove foil, add the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for another 10 – 15 minutes until center is warm and bubbling.
Remove from oven and let cool 10 -15 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!!!