Baked Ziti

Perfect for those cold nights

Comfort in a pan

Recipe Ingredients

1 pound Ziti

1 pound ground round

1 pound ground mild Italian sausage

8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella

1 cup 8 oz. small curd cottage cheese

2 cups ricotta (16 oz.)

1 cup fresh Parmesan (8 oz.)

(reserving half)

Fresh Basil (handful)

Fresh Rosemary (2 sprigs)

or if using dried =3 tsp. herbs

1 tsp.red pepper flakes

1 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt (for pasta water)

Fresh Garlic = 2 clove or minced 1 tsp.

1 small can tomato paste

1 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 jar Marinara sauce ( I like Bertolli)

3 Tbl. Olive Oil

2 eggs

Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in skillet and brown both sausage and ground round until just done/remove from heat and drain.

In medium sauce pan- heat tomato paste with garlic, sugar and red pepper flakes, add crushed tomatoes and marina- heat until just warm- remove from heat, add to the cooled sausage and ground beef.

Meanwhile boil pasta al dente according to package directions

Add the salt to your boiling water before adding pasta, drain and let cool, and toss with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil

In a small mixing bowl, whisk eggs.

In a large mixing bowl add herbs and all the cheeses except the reserved half of Parmesan, after you have combined, fold in the eggs

Now comes the fun =)

In a 9 by 13 casserole dish ladle the meat sauce mixture until it coats the bottom of pan

Add 1/3 of the Ziti

Next, spoon the cheese mixture over Ziti and repeat all three layers until there is no more to be had =)

Sprinkle the remaining reserved Parmesan over the top, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350'

Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until bubbling

Let cool for another 10 to 15 more minutes before serving and enjoy!