Easy Baked Ziti!
(Serves a 4-6 people depending on portion control)
1 Oven
1 Jar Newman's Own Marinara Sauce - Or whatever brand you prefer
1 Box Ziti or Penne pasta - Brand doesnt matter, Ziti for authenticity, but Penne is good too
2 bags Shredded Mozzarella Cheese - Or one big one. I go off the standard size of shredded cheese bags at Walmart
1 container of Ricotta Cheese - I use the smaller one they have, your choice on Skim, Part-Skim, Whole. I've used Part Skim and Whole
1 baking dish - I use disposable tin ones. Get one that's roughly 13 x 9
First, boil some water. When it comes to a boil add pasta, cook until al dente. When you're done go ahead and strain the pasta and pour the strained pasta into the baking pan.
Pre-heat the oven to 325.
Mix in the sauce.
Mix in the Ricotta cheese carefully. You want it to be consistent and you don't want to spill it.
Add in the shredded cheese slowly, leaving enough to add to the top of the ziti. Again, consistency is key.
Once it's all blended put the extra bit of cheese across the top, pop it into the oven, and cook it for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it, if the top starts to get brown you'll want to take it out early obviously. No one wants dry ziti.
Serve and enjoy.
For a quick compliment to your carboloaded meal:
Garlic Bread for 2 (I've never bothered to make a whole loaf)!
1 loaf of bread
A bit of garlic
Butter
Some of that cheese you put on the ziti
Cut the loaf in half, cut the piece sizes you want to eat.
Put a decent chunk of butter in the microwave, say 2 - 3 tablespoons, and melt it. Keep an eye on it, should only take a couple of seconds.
As it's melting chop a wee bit of garlic, as much as you want to taste, then add it to the butter. Mix it. Pop it back in for a few seconds.
When it's finished spread it across the bread, sprinkle some cheese on top. You can use some left over mozzarella from the ziti.
After you take out the ziti pop those in on some foil for a few short minutes, keep an eye on it, and when it looks like the cheese has melted and the bread is crispy you're done.
And there's a nice, easy meal for the night with leftovers for later.