Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti

Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti

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Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 2 cans (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
  • 1 T oregano
  • ¼ C Pioneer® Sugar
  • 8 oz. ziti pasta
  • 8 oz. ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 C mozzarella cheese
  • ½ – 1 C parmesan cheese
  • ½ – 1 lb. Italian sausage, ground beef, ground turkey, pepperoni; optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking oil; set aside.

     

  2. Sauté garlic in olive oil over medium heat in a deep frying pan. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste; stir. Add oregano and Pioneer® Sugar. Stir to blend well. Simmer 30 minutes.

     

  3. Add any meat (pre-cooked in separate pan) to the simmering sauce. Cook another 5 minutes to blend flavors.

     

  4. In prepared pan place 2 cups of sauce; spread a little; set aside.

     

  5. In a sauce pan, bring water to a boil; add salt to flavor water, and ziti. Boil for 8 minutes. Drain and set pasta aside.

     

  6. In a medium bowl mix ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup parmesan until smooth. Add the cooked ziti and stir to mix, coating noodles well.

     

  7. Pour over sauce in prepared pan. Cover with the rest of the sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella.

     

  8. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove and let sit 5 minutes before serving. If desired, top with parmesan cheese before serving.

 

 
 
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