Baked Ziti Casserole

Ingredients

• --SAUCE:--
• 1/4 c. olive or salad oil
• 1 c. finely chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 can (2 lb. 3 oz.) Italian tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 pkg. (1 lb.) ziti macaroni
• 2 cartons (15 oz. size) Ricotta cheese
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Mozzarella cheese, diced
• 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 3 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Make Sauce: In hot oil in 6 quart kettle, saute onion and garlic until golden brown - about 10 minutes. Add undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1 tablespoon salt, sugar, oregano, basil, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well, mashing tomatoes with fork. Simmer, covered but stirring occasionally, 1 hour. 2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook ziti as package label directs. 3. Make Cheese Layer: In large bowl, combine Ricotta, Mozzarella, 1/3 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper; beat with wooden spoon until blended. 4. Spoon a little sauce into 5 quart casserole. Layer a third of ziti, cheese mixture, and remaining sauce. Sprinkle sauce with 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Repeat twice. 5. Bake, uncovered, 45 minutes, or until bubbling in center. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: One Million Recipes
Submitted By: Ruth Burbage
ruth.burbage@verizon.net
Baked Ziti Casserole