Oven Baked Ziti With Three Cheeses From Bon Apetit Recipes

OVEN-BAKED ZITI WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and fennel seeds and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, water, oregano and sage. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Butter 9x13-inch glass baking dish. In medium bowl combine ricotta cheese and egg. Reserve 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese for topping. Add remaining mozzarella to ricotta cheese mixture and blend. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread 1/4 of tomato sauce over bottom of prepared dish. Layer 1/3 of pasta over. Drop half of ricotta cheese mixture over by spoonfuls. Spread 1/4 of sauce over. Repeat layering with another 1/3 of pasta, remaining cheese mixture, 1/4 of sauce and remaining pasta. Spread remaining sauce over and sprinkle with reserved mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Cover casserole and bake until heated through, about 40 minutes.

OVEN-BAKED ZITI WITH THREE CHEESES FROM BON APETIT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan over med-low heat. Add onion, garlic, and fennel seeds and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, water, oregano and sage. Simmer till mixture thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 mins. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450. Butter 9x13-inch glass baking dish. In med. bowl combine ricotta cheese and egg. Reserve 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese for topping. Add remaining mozzarella to ricotta cheese mixture and blend. Season with salt and pepper. Spread q/r of tomato sauce over bottom of prepared dish. Layer 1/3 of pasta over. Drop half of ricotta cheese mix over spoonfuls. Spread 1/4 c. sauce over. Repeat layering. Spread remaining sauce over and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and bake 40 mins.