Working Wednesday Ziti

It’s middle of the week and you need something comforting yet simple, so #DSSCRecommends ziti! This Italian-American baked casserole of pasta is the ideal meal for when you are tired and ready to crash the bed because your energy has slowly been depleting through the first two days of work. A bowlful of it will put you to sleep (it’s like a food lullaby) so you wake up fresh and ready for the next day.

Prep Time: 45 minutes + 1 hour 15 minutes baking

Caters To: 4 – 5 gobblers

Challenge Level: Beginner

From The Pantry:

• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 450 grams ground sausage
• 250 grams mushrooms, sliced
• 1 (680 grams) jar traditional spaghetti sauce
• 28 grams tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 500 grams ziti, cooked according to packet instructions
• 450 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 425 grams ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded and extra for garnish
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Handful of fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Cook Away:

1. In a large skillet, add onions and garlic to the crumbed sausages and cook until soft.
2. Add sausages and cook until browned.
3. Stir in mushrooms and sauté lightly.
4. Pour in sauce reducing heat to low. Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning and paprika, stirring to ensure its evenly mixed through.
5. Increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce to low and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the cooked ziti and mix  to ensure it’s evenly coated.
7. Transfer to a large casserole and allow it to cool.
8. Once cooled, mix in 250 grams of shredded mozzarella cheese through the pasta.
9. In a separate bowl combine together ricotta, parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper.
10. Evenly layer the cheese mixture on top of ziti in the casserole.
11. Top with leftover mozzarella cheese.
12. Cover with a plastic wrap, double layer with tin foil to ensure it’s sealed tight and freeze.

Bake:

1. Preheat the oven at 190 degrees celsius.
2. Remove the plastic cover from the casserole and cover with one layer of tin foil. Bake for 1 hour, until the casserole is warmed through.
3. Remove foil and continue baking for additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
4. Garnish with parsley and parmesan shreds.

Add spoonfuls of this ziti pasta on the table as everyone drools over the stringy cheese and serve!

Featured Image Courtesy: seriouseats.com