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Kitten’s Baked Ziti Casserole

Written By: kittencal on December 29, 2009 No Comment

Penne pasta will work great also and be sure to only cook the pasta only to halfway as it will cook more in the oven, use your own favorite prepared pasta sauce for this…

You may assemble this casserole hours in advance cover and refrigerate until ready to bake

Servings 8

INGREDIENTS:

1 (8 ounce) box uncooked ziti pasta (or penne pasta)

3 tablespoons oil (to coat the cooked pasta)

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 pound bulk pork sausage meat (or can use use 1 pound of either)

1/2 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (or adjust to heat level)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste (can use white salt)

fresh ground black pepper, to taste

4-5 cups favorite prepared pasta sauce (or a drier casserole use 4 cups)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (can use more)

1/2 to 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese,

INSTRUCTIONS:———————————————-

Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

In a large pot cook the pasta in boiling salted water until just about halfway cooked (leave the pasta still firm, do not cook completely) drain but do not rinse.

Transfer to a large bowl and mix in 2-3 tablespoons oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together; set aside and cover the bowl with a clean tea towel to prevent from drying out)

In a pot or Dutch oven cook the ground and sausage meat with chili flakes, onion and bell pepper until no longer pink; drain fat.

Add in the garlic; continue cooking until the meat is well browned (this may take about 10-12 minutes to brown the meat).

Season with seasoned salt or white salt and ground black pepper.

Stir in the pasta sauce and reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered stirring occasionally for about 25-30 minutes.

Mix in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the cooked ziti or penne pasta.

Transfer the mixture into baking dish.

At this point you may cool and refrigerate for until ready to bake.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven uncovered for about 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Remove from oven and sprinkle about 1 cup or more of mozzarella cheese on top then return to oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

You will also find this recipe on Recipezazz.com

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