Classic Baked Ziti (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 pound ziti or penne pasta.
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 -
1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef.
04 -
1 small finely chopped onion.
05 -
3 cloves minced garlic.
06 -
2 24-ounce jars marinara sauce.
07 -
8 ounces softened cream cheese.
08 -
2 large eggs.
09 -
15 ounces drained ricotta cheese.
10 -
1/2 cup sour cream.
11 -
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
12 -
1 cup grated parmesan cheese.
13 -
1/2 teaspoon salt.
14 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
15 -
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish.
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions for al dente.
02 -
Brown the sausage with onion in a pan. Toss in garlic and cook briefly. Pour in marinara sauce and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
03 -
Whip the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in eggs, ricotta, sour cream, half the mozzarella, all the parmesan, salt and pepper until well combined.
04 -
Stir 1 cup of the meat sauce into the cheese mixture. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Spread in the baking dish and pour remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with leftover mozzarella.
05 -
Cover dish with greased foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes more until bubbly and cheese is golden. Let it rest 10 minutes before serving.