I made a big batch of Ziti for dinner one night last week. I don't think I ever make it the same way twice.
This time I put in a layer of spinach. The sauce is peppers, onions, garlic, mushrooms, basil, oregano, s&p, large can diced tomatoes, small can tomato paste, water, and sugar to cut the acidity. I had four large sweet Italian sausages from Green Mountain Smoke House in Windsor, VT that I cooked up then sliced.
pictured before last layer of sauce
The layers are sauce, half the cooked ziti pasta, spinach, grated mozzarella cheese, sausage slices, some sour cream, the rest of the pasta and sauce, then the rest of the cheese and parmesan on top of that. I baked it at 325 for 45 minutes but it could go into a 350 oven for 30 minutes. I was just ahead of schedule making dinner on a night that Dan goes to chorus practice.
I made such a large amount because I have surgery scheduled at the end of next month on my right thumb and carpal tunnel. I'm going to be out of commission in the kitchen for some time and whatever I can do to make it easier for Dan then, I must try to do now.
I divided up what remained into three more meals and froze them.
