Meal Planning Monday- Lasagna Style Baked Ziti

Cole's FAVORITE Meal!

One of the main reasons I am so excited about this blog, besides opening up about my heart for being a mama, is sharing some of my family's favorite recipes.  While I still have A LOT to learn in the kitchen, I have come a very long way since I burned my fingers making a frozen pizza the first time I hung out with my husband, Phil. I love trying new recipes, and I like to keep things simple. Like most moms of littles, I don't have time for a bunch of crazy ingredients.  I love slow cooker meals and things I can make the evening before or during nap time.  Cole has become the world's pickiest eater, which drives me insane, so I am always looking for recipes that he will eat.  I found this lasagna style baked ziti online, and I changed it up a bit.  It is Cole's FAVORITE, and Phil and I love it, too.  It is also my go-to recipe when I bring friends meals, because it makes so much and tastes just as good the second time around.  Enjoy! :)

 From the Store:

16 oz ziti

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb lean ground beef

kosher salt

black pepper

24 oz marinara sauce

10 oz spicy marinara sauce

4 cups spinach

1/2 cup ricotta

1/2 cup grated parmesan

16 oz bag of shredded mozzarella cheese 

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400. Cook the pasta according to the package.  Drain and add to large mixing bowl.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir until they begin to soften (this takes about 5 minutes.)

3. Add the beef (I love Greenwise lean beef from Publix), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to skillet and cook until meat is browned. 

4.  In large mixing bowl, toss the pasta with the meat mixture, marinara sauce, ricotta and 1/4 cup of parmesan.  (I like it to have a little kick, so instead of using all regular marinara sauce, I use one jar of regular marinara and about 1/2 a jar of spicy marinara- I LOVE Barilla spicy marinara.)

 5. Add 4 cups of spinach to the mixture (I use the bag of Publix baby spinach, and I tear it apart and tear off any long stems.)  This is an optional step, but I love the dish with spinach added.  It is also my sneaky way of getting Cole to eat something green! ;)

5. Spray a 9-by-13 baking dish with pam.  Transfer the mixture to the dish.  Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan.

I almost forgot, I always cook with a little wine... ;)

6.  Add the shredded mozzarella to the top.  I use about 10-12 oz of cheese (the 8 oz bag isn't quite enough, so I buy the 16 oz bag and use about 3/4 of it...this is a personal preference...I like a lot of cheese!)

7. Pop it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes on 400.  If you refrigerate for later, bake on 375 for 25 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered (or until cheese is melted and turning slightly golden brown.)

8. ENJOY!  I like to serve a caesar salad on the side (I get the ready made bags from Publix, of course!) Cole will eat a large bowl of ziti and ask for "more ziti PLEASE," which is pretty much unheard of for my picky eater.

He said it was, "DELICIOUS!  Thank you, Mommy!" I hope you and your kiddos enjoy it just as much as he does.

Recipe Card:
1. Heat oven to 400. Cook the pasta according to the package.  Drain and add to large mixing bowl.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir until they begin to soften (this takes about 5 minutes.)

3. Add the beef (I love Greenwise lean beef from Publix), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to skillet and cook until meat is browned. 

4.  In large mixing bowl, toss the pasta with the meat mixture, marinara sauce, ricotta and 1/4 cup of parmesan.  (I like it to have a little kick, so instead of using all regular marinara sauce, I use one jar of regular marinara and about 1/2 a jar of spicy marinara- I LOVE Barilla spicy marinara.)

5. Spray a 9-by-13 baking dish with pam.  Transfer the mixture to the dish.  Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan.

6.  Add the shredded mozzarella to the top.  I use about 3/4 of the bag. 

7. Pop it in the oven and bake for 20 minutes on 400.  If you refrigerate for later, bake on 375 for 25 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered (or until cheese is melted and turning slightly golden brown.)

8. ENJOY!  

Recipe adapted from: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/lasagna-style-baked-ziti