Ultimate comfort is this Creamy Baked Ziti.
Everyone loves it and it's simplicity!
You know how sometimes you make a meal again and again and it becomes a family favorite and it's just automatic?
That is this Creamy Baked Ziti to a T. Our family loves it, I've made it for years and it has just become one of those staple dishes in our home. So much so that it never even occurred to me to share this recipe with my readers. If you follow me on Instagram you'll remember I teased you about this recipe last week.
By the way, follow me. It's fun!
And the blue speckled dishes I served this meal on? Well, those were my husband's grandmothers that I inherited after she passed. I love how they look in photos. They are super old and unless your grandmother has some to pass down to you, they are a bit hard to find.
BUT. I did find these replicas! This set of 6 mugs. This plate in blue and red. These super cute set of bowls. And even a whole set perfect for camping.
What I love about this ziti is how easy it is to throw together. Bowl the penne pasta and then in that same pot throw in the cheese mixture, sausage and sauce. Stir it together, pour it in a big 9x13 baking dish, spread on a little more sauce and cheese and call it good.
I'm all about simple. Dinners included! I do have a bit more time on my hands now that my two older kids are in school full time but that doesn't mean I want to spend all my time in the kitchen.
I'd rather be playing with my 2 year old, buying more LuLaRoe clothes that I probably don't need {ha!}, working on this blog {completely serious on that one}, adding more books to my Amazon wish list {currently eyeing...this one and this one} and like any other mom keeping a tidy house.
So enter in this family favorite! Put it in your meal rotation my friends. You'll be happy I finally got my head in the game and decided to share it with you.
Creamy Baked Ziti
1 lb. penne pasta
1 large jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb. ground sausage, cooked and drained
1 large tomato, de-seeded and chopped
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 T. dried parsley
1 t. garlic powder
2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1. In a large stock pot, salt the water heavily and bring to a boil. Cook the penne pasta to al dente, then remove and drain, putting the pasta back in the pot.
2. Add in the spaghetti sauce {setting aside a 1/2 cup}, the cooked sausage, chopped tomato, cottage cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and spices. Mix this together and pour into a large greased 9x13 baking dish.
3. Spread on the reserved spaghetti sauce and top with the mozzarella cheese.
4. At this point the dish can be refrigerated for up to two days or you can bake it off right away at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
5. Serve warm with additional Parmesan cheese.
