Ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, an egg, parsley & spices are mixed together in a small bowl. Then in a larger bowl uncooked pasta, marinara sauce and water are stirred together. Next half of the pasta mixture is ladled into a baking dish. The cheese mixture is spread on top of the pasta, then topped with the remaining pasta mixture. After covering with foil, the dish is baked for 40 minutes, then uncovered and topped with mozzarella cheese and baked until the cheese is melted.
Course
Pasta
Prep Time10minutes
Cook Time45minutes
Servings8people
Ingredients
16ozpackage uncooked ziti pastaor other short pasta
24ozjar marinara sauce
3cupswater
16oz(2 cups) cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
2tbspParmesan cheese
1egg
1tspdried parsley flakes
¼tspsalt
¼tspgarlic powder
Pinchof pepper
8ozshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 F. Spray a large baking dish (9x13 inches) with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, stir together cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce and water. Ladle half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Pour cheese mixture over the pasta in an even layer.
Top with remaining pasta and sauce mixture.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Uncover and stir gently. At this point the pasta is al dente. If too hard, cover and return to the oven.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese over the top and bake uncovered for 5 to 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted and the pasta is tender.