MAMA B'S BAKED ZITI

MAMA B'S BAKED ZITI image

Categories Pasta

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 17

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Sauce:
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped4 4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 28 oz. cans plum tomatoes, pureed in blender
1 6oz. can tomato paste
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh basil, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh oregano,or 1 tsp. dried
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Filling:
1 16 oz. conatainer ricotta cheese
1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp. parmesean cheese, divided
3 cups mozarella cheese, shredded and divided
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Pasta:
1 16 oz. pkg ziti or rigatoni, cooked al dente

Steps:

Heat oil in large saucepan. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add remaining sauce ingredients and simmer gently, uncovered for 1 hour. Combine ricotta, 1/4 cup parmesean, 1 cup mozarella, salt and pepper. Add pasta and 1 cup tomato mixture to the cheese mixture and combine well. Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.Pour 3 cups tomato sauce on top. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozarella and 3 Tbsp. Parmesean. (Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.) Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until hot and bubbly about 10 minutes.