Ingredients (Serves 8)
1. Ziti pasta / penne pasta / rigatoni pasta – 1 lb (Around 4 cups)
2. Olive oil – 1 tbsp
3. Onion – 1 cup, chopped
Garlic – 4 large, chopped
4. Ground beef – 1 lb
5. Salt and pepper – To taste
6. Marinara sauce / tomato puree – 2.5 cup (You can replace it with 2.5 cup tomato puree + 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning)
7. Baby spinach – 2 cups
Fresh / frozen green peas – 1/2 cup
Basil leaves – 4 – 5, torn (optional)
8. Boiled eggs – 2, chopped
9. Shredded mozzarella cheese – Around 2 cups
Parmesan cheese – 1/2 cup, grated
Boiled eggs – 1- 2, cut into rounds
Method
1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and cook for a dew minutes. Add ground beef and break it well using a spatula. Cook for 4 – 5 minutes until the beef is no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. Add marinara sauce. Mix well and simmer for 8 – 12 minutes. If the sauce looks very thick, add 1/3 cup water. Add spinach and basil leaves. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes until spinach leaves wilt. Check for salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile cook pasta according to package directions until al dente (do not over cook). Drain well. Transfer it back to the pot. Add chopped eggs, prepared meat sauce, handful of mozzarella cheese and 2 – 3 tbsp parmesan cheese. Mix well.
3. Arrange 1 large or 2 medium baking dishes. Pour 1/3 cup of the prepared meat sauce over the bottom. Top it with half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle 2 tbsp parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Pour any remaining sauce on top.
4. Preheat oven at 350 F. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes. Serve hot. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese while serving.
5. This delicious Baked Ziti can also be frozen for later use!
Freeze it prior to baking (that is before step 4). Make sure you cover it tightly with cling wrap and then with aluminium foil. Thaw it in the fridge for 24 – 36 hours before baking and then bake it at 350 F for 18 – 20 minutes.
Recipe courtesy – Adapted from Buon-A-Petitti
Add comment