Baked Ziti

One of the easiest and fastest dinners I have. I totally forgot that I didn't have parmesan this time around, so it wasn't quite as delicious as usual, but still good. I've made this before with italian sausage and ground beef. I like how the sausage adds a little more flavor, but you need to be careful you don't get one that is too overpowering.

BAKED ZITI
3 c. ziti pasta
1 (26-oz.) jar Ragu Parmesan & Romano (or your favorite pasta sauce)
½ - 1 lb. cooked, drained, ground meat or meatballs (optional)
approximately 1/4 c. water
1 (15-oz.) container ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese
chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 ½ c. shredded mozzarella

Boil pasta a few minutes until slightly cooked but still firm. Drain. Combine drained pasta, pasta sauce and cooked meat. Rinse out the pasta jar with about ¼ cup water and add to pasta mixture. In another bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese.



Spoon half of the pasta in a 9x11-inch baking dish; evenly top with cheese mixture, then remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake for 30 minutes (or until heated through) at 350°.

Sorry the picture is so blurry, my camera is not very good. Plus, my batteries died so fast!