Try this Freezer Friendly Baked Ziti recipe, or contribute your own.
- 2 eggs
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- !for the sauce:
- 1 lb. italian ground sausage
- 8 oz. sliced cremini mushrooms
- 24 jar traditional spaghetti sauce
- 1 lb. ziti noodles cooked al dente according to package instructions
- !for the cheese mixture:
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 16 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- Carbohydrate 40.6569533408937 g
- Cholesterol 38.6 mg
- Fat 14.387386667489 g
- Fiber 6.82233354176064 g
- Protein 28.7156000015578 g
- Saturated Fat 8.58246166697054 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (1655g)
- Sodium 967.159666682887 mg
- Sugar 33.8346197991331 g
- Trans Fat 0.656716666785476 g
- Calories 390 calories
Step-by-step
- Brown and crumble the sausage in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat and add the onions and garlic, cooking until tender. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until softened.
- Add in the sauce, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If your pan is big enough add the pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. If needed, transfer sauce and pasta to a larger bowl to stir together.
- Combine the ricotta, parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper in a small dish.
- Lightly coat a 9x13" casserole dish with non-stick spray. Layer half of the pasta mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with the cheese mixture and spread to an even layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Spread the remaining noodles and sauce over that, followed by the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until center is bubbly. Enjoy!
- Let cool to room temperature then cover with an airtight lid. If no lid is available, cover with plastic wrap and then a double layer of tin foil. Freeze.
- Take casserole out of freezer and remove lid or any plastic wrap. Cover with foil. Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 1 hour, remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until center is bubbly. Enjoy!
Adapting the Foundations
Can this heavy meat casserole be adjusted for different diets without losing structural integrity? When swapping the Italian sausage for plant-based crumbles or extra cremini mushrooms, moisture management becomes critical because alternative proteins often release excess water during the initial browning phase. Drain any vegetable moisture thoroughly in a colander before combining ingredients, otherwise the ricotta layer will become watery during baking. Similarly, swapping regular wheat pasta for gluten-free alternatives requires strict adherence to timing; undercook alternative shapes by two minutes so they retain structural integrity when subjected to a secondary thermal cycle in the oven.
Managing the Layers
Building a multi-tier casserole requires deliberate distribution to ensure heat penetrates uniformly to the center of the 9x13-inch dish. Distributing half of the mozzarella inside the middle tier rather than saving it entirely for the crust creates a cohesive internal bind that prevents the slices from sliding apart upon serving. Eggs incorporated into the ricotta mixture act as a vital protein binder, coagulating under moderate heat to set the dairy into a stable layer that holds its shape when portioned.
Judging Doneness Without Probes
Determining when a dense, cheese-topped bake is finished requires visual and auditory cues rather than digital temperature readings. Look for vigorous bubbling around the perimeter of the ceramic dish accompanied by deep golden-brown spots forming across the exposed mozzarella surface. Once the foil is removed for the final 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, listen for the gentle sizzle of rendered fats escaping the edges, which signals that the internal temperature has reached a uniform heat throughout.
