Baked Ziti

In my former life as a restaurant worker/manager, one of the restaurants I worked for was Sbarro's.  I was an assistant manager there for about 2 years.  Part of my job was to make the entrees for the day.  One thing I made daily was ziti.  Here is my recipe, a favorite of the family's, especially J.

1 lb. box ziti

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 15 oz container of ricotta cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Parmasean cheese

ground beef or sausage,  if desired

Cook ziti according to package directions.  While that is cooking, in a casserole dish combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and about a half cup parmasean cheese.  If you decide to add meat to the dish, I brown the meat and add the spaghetti sauce to it when it is browned and heat the sauce.  I find that this speeds up the baking process.  Add the spaghetti sauce to the cheese mixture.

When the ziti is cooked, drain and add to sauce/cheese mixture.  I usually do this in increments, makes it a bit easier.  (I will also add extra spaghetti sauce if I think it needs it.)

If desired, add more mozzarella and parmasean cheese on top before baking.  Bake 15-20 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

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After: