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baked ziti with sausage
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Baked Ziti

The ultimate easy way to feed a crowd. Baked Ziti is pure Italian comfort food. It's also a great make ahead meal, make it the night before and bake it up the next day or freeze it for later.

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • 1 32oz. jar marinara sauce
  • 1 pound cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese grated (Kraft brand)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves chopped +more for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese balls cut in half
  • 1 pound Italian sausage  *optional
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt (for the pasta water)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. In a medium sized frying pan set to medium high heat brown the sausage. When completely broken into small pieces and cooked through place the cooked sausage on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.

  3. Bring 3 quarts of water to boil in a large pot over high heat. When the water is boiling, stir in the 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta and stir occasionally until the pasta cooks to al dente: soft but is not cooked through… about 8-10 minutes (do not over boil the pasta). Drain the pasta and leave it in a colander until ready to use. At this point, do not wash or rinse out the large pot.

  4. Whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, basil, black pepper and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl and set aside.

  5. Add the heavy cream to the pot where you cooked the pasta and cook over medium heat. Add in the cornstarch and whisk to combine and cook until thickened for a few minutes. Turn the heat off and add in the cottage cheese mixture and 1 cup of the marinara sauce, stir to combine. Add in the Italian sausage (if using sausage). Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat with the sauce.

  6. Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13inch baking dish and top with the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta. Spread the sauce out over the top and then dot the top with the mozzarella balls cut in half. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

  7. Remove the foil and broil the top for a few minutes until the cheese starts to turn golden and bubble. Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with more fresh basil if available. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes

Make a double batch and freeze one for later, or take it to a friend in need.