Ziti. Especially a quick ziti is pure comfort food. Comfort food when you need it like during the threat of 20-30″ of rain from a tropical storm. I figured if I whipped this together, we would have dinner for the week (it’s supposed to rain for days). Pulled it out of the oven and AHHHHH. Yum! Too good! (There is another recipe link I’m sure you’ll appreciate!) Here’s the recipe:

BAKED ZITI

(original recipe: Ronzoni pasta package, this is my version:)

• 8oz. pasta (ziti, mini penne, penne, etc)
• 3/4 lb. ground beef or sausage
• 24 oz Classico tomato basil pasta sauce + a wee bit more if you like
• 16 oz. cottage cheese
• 8 oz. mozzarella, shredded
• pepper
• grated parmesan

Turn oven on 350℉. Cook pasta according to package directions.

In large skillet, brown meat over medium heat until well cooked, drain (and I pat with paper towels). Stir in pasta sauce, simmer 10 minutes.

In small bowl mix together cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, a few shakes of parmesan and pepper.

Toss the hot cooked pasta with the pasta sauce, mix to coat.

In 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish (I lightly oil with olive oil) place a tablespoon or two of the sauce mixture and spread 1/2 the pasta mixture; spread the cottage cheese mixture over the top.

Layer with remaining pasta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan (to taste).

Cover loosely with foil; bake 25 minutes.

Remove foil; bake 5-10 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Makes 10-12 servings

❤️ Click HERE to print!!

🍝 Until next time…

In all my worked “upness” over the threat of flooding, I managed to pull together a sourdough loaf ready to bake in the morning (please let there be power!), this ziti recipe and my “storm cookies“. Called “storm cookies” because they can keep you powered on full of good things like oatmeal, walnuts, chocolate chips – oh and a little butter and a wee bit of flour. Well, mostly good for ya ;) Tap the link for the recipe!