Baked Ziti by Debbie

Baked ziti is an easy, tasty alternative to lasagna. The components; sauce, cheese filling and cooked pasta are assembled after being prepared, then baked before serving. The final result is reminiscent of lasagna, but much easier and faster to prepare. Baked Ziti recipes are a dime a dozen, but this particular recipe reflects my own influence.

Preparation and Assembly:
1 lb. ziti pasta, cooked al dente
2-3 Tbsp Parmesan or Romano, for sprinkling
Olive oil, to drizzle on top before baking
Spaghetti sauce prepared at least one hour in advance (see Spaghetti Sauce recipe from August 2010)
1/2 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
Ricotta cheese filling (see Manicotti recipe from August 2010)

1. Add 1/2 pound shredded mozzarella to Ricotta cheese filling mixture and stir together.
2. Cook ziti according to directions on package, watching carefully (do not overcook). Drain pasta and return to pan.
3. Add sauce to ziti in pan, continuing to stir and adding additional sauce as needed to coat well.
4. Butter the bottom of an oven-proof casserole (or a lasagne dish) and spread cooked ziti in buttered casserole.
5. Spread a layer of the ziti in the bottom of the casserole dish, then cover with a layer of the Ricotta filling.
6. Stir the rest of the filling in with the remaining pasta, stirring very lightly, leaving chunks here and there.
7. Spread the pasta mixture in the casserole dish and top with sauce, enough to cover.
8. Sprinkle with 3-4 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil.
9. Bake in a preheated 400 degree F until cheese is bubbly and the whole house takes on the aroma of a pizzeria (10-15 minutes).

This recipe can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Cook thawed ziti at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until heated through.