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Over-the-Top Baked Ziti Recipe

I adapted a ziti recipe to remove ingredients my kids did not like, such as ground beef, garlic and onions. The revised recipe was not only a success with my family, but a potlucks, too. It is also very versatile. You can use jarred sauce, double or triple the recipe and it freezes well. —Kimberley Pitman, Smyrna, Delaware Field Editor

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Over-the-Top Baked Ziti Recipe

Prep: 20 min. + simmering Bake: 20 min.

Yield: 8 Servings

20 20 40

Ingredients

2 cans (29 ounces each) tomato puree
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
ZITI:
1 package (16 ounces) ziti
1 egg, beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine the first ten ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
Cook ziti according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper and 5 cups sauce. Drain ziti; stir into cheese mixture.
Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour remaining sauce over the top; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8 servings.

Originally published as Over-the-Top Baked Ziti in Taste of Home Fall 2012

Lasagna Prep Pointers

To keep lasagna from becoming soupy, be certain to drain the noodles well and pat them dry. Use a thick tomato sauce. Add a beaten egg to the ricotta or cottage cheese filling to help bind it together. Saute and drain well any vegetables such as mushrooms or zucchini that may add extra liquid. Be sure to let baked lasagna stand for 15 minutes before cutting. Another option is to try no-boil lasagna noodles, which absorb extra moisture while cooking. They can be found in the pasta section of most grocery stores.