Baked Ziti

Foundations Referenced

• → mother-sauces

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti or penne
• 3 cups tomato sauce (→ foundation)
• 1 lb ricotta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• Salt, pepper

Method

1. Cook: Cook pasta 2 min short of al dente.

2. Mix: Mix ricotta with egg, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, salt, pepper.

3. Layer: Layer in baking dish: sauce → pasta → ricotta mixture → sauce → remaining mozzarella.

4. Bake: Bake 375°F covered 25 min, uncovered 15 min until bubbling and golden.

What You're Practicing

• Undercook the pasta — it finishes cooking in the oven.
• The egg in the ricotta mixture helps it set and bind.
• This is lasagna's lazy cousin — and there's no shame in that.