Baked Ziti

I have tried several Ziti recipes. This one is probably the easiest and my husband’s favorite. I made mine in an 8 x 8 inch baking pan. As my husband can eat pasta every day, I elected not to freeze half. But you can do that easily. I prefer to bake it before freezing and then after it is cooled, I put it in containers to freeze. It is easily thawed and reheated in the micro for lunch or for those nights where you want something warm, but don’t want to waste a lot of time cooking. Also great when you don’t have to turn on the oven during the warm summer days.

1/2 of a 16 oz. box of ziti or penne pasta

12 oz. ricotta or cottage cheese*

8 oz. finely shredded Mozzarella cheese

1 beaten egg

2 cups spaghetti sauce

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/3 pound cooked hamburger if desired.

Bring to a boil 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon oil. When water is boiled, add 1 teaspoon salt and pasta. Cook for about 12 minutes until pasta is soft, but not mushy. It will cook in the sauce so you don’t want it overcooked.

If you decide to add hamburger to your mix, cook it in a small fry pan with 2 teaspoons chopped onion, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/8 tsp. garlic powder. Drain before adding to sauce mix.

While pasta is cooking, in a large bowl, mix hamburger (if using) spaghetti sauce, egg, ricotta/cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and 6 oz. of the shredded Mozzarella. When ziti is cooked, drain and add to the sauce mixing well. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water when draining. After everything is mixed, if you feel like the mixture is not moist enough, add a little of the pasta water until it is a little moist.

If you like it really cheesy, mix all the shredded Mozzarella into sauce mix. then lay 4 thin slices of mozzarella over top. This gives you a nice cover and also adds more cheese to the casserole.

I always use cottage cheese with pineapple. It adds a little sweetness to your sauce and also, if I don’t use the full container, it makes a great afternoon snack. I am not a fan of ricotta cheese so this works well for me.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until cover cheese is browned and bubbly.

Shephard’s Pie

1/2 Lb. Hamburg 1 Can Creamed Corn

2 Medium Potatoes Salt & pepper

¼ Cup Chopped Onion or 2 teaspoons Onion Powder

Peel and cube two potatoes and put in small saucepan. Cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until soft (about 10 minutes +/-.

Brown hamburger in frying pan with onions or onion powder. Drain. Place in casserole dish sprayed with Pam. Add salt & pepper to your liking.

Drain the cream corn to remove some of the extra juice. Cover hamburger. Do not mix together. You are looking for layers.

When potatoes are done, drain and replace into saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and a “gob” of sour cream. You want the potatoes to be a little dry so don’t put too much sour cream in at first. Add as needed. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mash until creamy with no lumps.

*Spraying top of casserole with butter spray or dabs of butter are optional.

Bake in n 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve with fruit and fresh bread

Cover corn with potatoes. Do not stir these together. Layer one on top of the other. Put little dabs of margarine on top of potatoes or spray with a butter spray. *

You may also add peas or peas and carrots with the layer of corn. ��

Melting Bean Pot

This is a favorite of ours. It is made in a large fry pan or saucepan. It is similar to Mac and Cheese, but adds protein in the hamburger and baked beans. You can change up the flavor of the baked beans depending on your personal taste.

This is also listed as a meatless recipe. You just need to omit the beef and change the canned beans to a vegetarian style instead of Pork and Beans. It will still be a very tasty meal.

You may think that 2 teaspoons of chili powder is too much, but you will be surprised with the flavor. Try it with 2 at first and increase or decrease to your liking.

1/3 Lb. Ground Beef 3 Cups Cooked Macaroni*

1/4 Cup Onion Chopped 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/8 Cup Diced Green Pepper 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 Cup Milk 2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 Can (8 oz.) Pork & Beans

In saucepan, brown beef and onions and peppers with chili powder until tender. Add beans, cooked macaroni, cheese, milk and salt. Pour into small sprayed casserole dish.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 6 cups.

By leaving out the hamburger, you could make this a vegetarian meal.

* 1 ½ cups raw macaroni makes 3 cups cooked.

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To Cook Macaroni

Take a medium sauce pan and fill about ½ full of water. Add 1 tsp oil. Bring to a boil. When boiling, add 1 tsp of salt. Always salt pasta water. Add pasta. Stir and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes until soft but not mushy. Macaroni will cook with the other ingredients in the oven. rain using colander and add to beef mixture.