Ziti is a large tubular pasta topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese and when used in a casserole is an abundant meal that will satisfy. This casserole can be made with bite-sized meatball or a marinara with scrambled meat to create a more well-rounded meal. It is totally up to the creator.
1 Easy Peasy Marinara recipe following box instructions
1-28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
2-1/2 cups water
1 Easy Peasy seasoning packet
1 Easy Peasy Meatball recipe following box instructions, except make meatballs 1” in diameter
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 Easy Peasy Seasoning packet
Reserve 1-1/2 cups of marinara and set aside to finish the casserole.
2 cups Mozzarella cheese grated
1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional
1 pound package of dry Ziti pasta
Pasta Preparations:
Bring to a boil 4 quarts of water, add 1 tsp. canola or vegetable oil and 1 TBS salt
Prepare dry pasta of choice to al dente stage, approximately 6-8 minutes.
(refer to package instructions for the amount of time is required for this stage)
Drain well and place in a warm serving bowl.
Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
Strain pasta and rinse with cool water and drain again.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare a 4-quart shallow casserole dish, 13” x 9” size with cooking spray.
Spray both sides and bottom.
In a large bowl or pan toss the al dente pasta with the half of the marinara and reserved pasta water. Fold in the bite size meatballs. Pour the pasta & meatball mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top casserole with the remaining marinara sauce. Top casserole evenly with mozzarella cheese then sprinkle entire top with Parmesan cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and slightly golden, (approximately 30-35 minutes). Top with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately. Makes 8-10 servings.
