Since I made a menu for this week already, “what’s for dinner” was not a question on my mind. I turned on some Beethoven on Pandora and set out to make Baked Ziti. I remember going to weddings at halls and baked ziti was my favorite dish! Although we had a pasta dish for dinner on Monday, it’s ok because one can never have too much pasta (unless you’re watching you’re weight…carbs, carbs, carbs!).

1. Prep

Boil ziti pasta as you would regularly, but drain it right before it’s fully cooked.

2. Mix the following:

1 Egg

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cut shredded Mozzarella cheese

Spread on the bottom of an oiled pan (I used Olive oil…it sounds fancier than Vegetable oil)!

3. Mix the following:

Almost cooked Ziti (I made 16 ounces…I haven’t learned the art of cooking for 2)

Almost two bottles of Marinara sauce (I mixed Roasted Garlic and 7 Cheeses—I used a lot…but the worst thing ever is dry ziti).

3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 1/2 cups of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Salt/Pepper/Garlic Salt

After all is mixed, move the ziti mix on top of the egg mix in the pan.

Cover the top with about 2 cups of shredded Mozzarella Cheese

(I don’t have a fancy schmancy glass baking pan…yet. Wait until I make my way to Crate and Barrel)!

This could feed a hungry family of 6-8, but hey, who doesn’t like leftovers? Plus, we all know what the hubby and I will have for lunch at work 🙂

This meal is great because 1. it’s hearty and filling, 2. the entire thing cost around $10!! 3. simple to make!

4. Bake

Pop into a pre-heated (to 350 degrees) oven for about 20-25 minutes (or when sauce is boiling and cheese is melted and gooey 🙂

5. ENJOY

This is the best step of all! Put a large serving on your plate, sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese and enjoy with a zesty Italian salad. I know I will! (Although, my hubby loves Ranch, so his won’t be too zesti…) To each his own!

Salad

I tossed some mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and mandarins. The mandarins might not be a typical Italian salad ingredient, but they sure are tasty!!! (and add a lick kick to the salad:)
 

The dinner was delicious. With a few lit left over Christmas candles and some romantic music, my husband was asking for seconds. And who doesn’t want their man asking for more? 😉

Good Night ladies and gents…I’ll leave your mouths watering until tomorrow 🙂