Baked Ziti With Ricotta

Photo: flickr user holycalamity

Ingredients

Marinara Sauce

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

3 clv garlic, minced

2 pounds fresh tomatoes, ground in a food processor or blender

cup chopped fresh parsley or basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and ground black pepper

2 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, cubed

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 lrg eggs, lightly beaten

1 pound ziti pasta

Preparation

1. Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and saute over medium heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste, and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Set the sauce aside.

2. Combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, parsley, salt, and eggs in a large bowl and set this mixture aside.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the salt to taste and the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Toss the pasta with a little sauce.

4. Place a layer of sauced pasta in a large casserole dish. Dot the pasta with small bits of the cheese mixture and then spoon some tomato sauce over the cheese. Repeat this process two more times to make 3 layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake until the top is lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let the pasta casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Minnie's Secret: If possible, use a thick homemade ricotta that you can buy at an Italian market. Supermarket ricotta is not nearly as creamy and tasty.

This rich casserole has the flavors of lasagna without the work. It's perfect for a Sunday dinner.