Baked ziti with ricotta (1/2 recipe)

Half the recipe for a large ceramic dish. This is for a 9x13 glass pan

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350°

Step 2

2. Make sauce: Heat olive oil, over medium-high Heat, in a large, high sided skillet. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Moderate heat so as not to brown onion. Turn heat to medium-low and add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.

Step 3

3. Add beef, salt, and black pepper to skillet and cook, over medium heat, until no longer pink; drain as needed. Stir in spaghetti sauce and add Italian seasoning

Step 4

4. Make ricotta filling: in a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, nutmeg, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan.

Step 5

5. Pasta: cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

Step 6

6. Assembly: add 1/2 cup of sauce to the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish and swirl to cover bottom. Spread 1/2 of cooked pasta in baking dish, then spoon a 1/2 of the meat sauce, then dollop 1/2 ricotta mixture-spreading it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat with remaining layers, ending with meat sauce. Place on a rimmed cookie sheet

Step 7

7. Cover and bake about 40min or until a thermometer reads 160° (check 1/2 way and 3/4 way through). Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 min before serving