Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti
Camille P.

This recipe comes from our freezer recipes booklet from our compassionate service freezer meals activity. Baked Ziti is easier than lasagna, fancier than spaghetti and you can load up the sauce with all your favorite vegetables. This recipe makes one 9x13 pan, or you could make two 8x8 pans.

½ lb. ground beef
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup diced mushrooms
1/4 cup diced green pepper
3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb box of ziti (or rigatoni) noodles
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 egg
6 green onions
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese

Cook noodles according to package directions, do not overcook or they'll be mushy when you freeze. In a skillet over medium heat cook ground beef until no longer pink. Add in minced garlic, mushrooms and green pepper. Stir in spaghetti sauce, cook and stir for 4-5 minutes. In a mixing bowl stir together cream cheese, sour cream, egg, parmesan cheese and diced green onions until smooth. In your baking dish layer noodles across the bottom, spread white cream cheese layer over the top, then pour red sauce over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

To bake immediately: Preheat oven to 350* and bake for 20 minutes covered, and 10 minutes uncovered.

To freeze: Cover with foil, label, date and freeze. Use within 3 months. If you want to thaw your ziti, put it in the fridge the night before and bake at 350* for 20 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered. If the ziti is frozen, bake at 350* for 50 minutes covered and 30 minutes uncovered.