O.k. all you lookers of my blog. I have had many people ask for recipes. I had a friend (Taya) tell me i should put them on my blog. So I figured what the heck. I will probably do it once or twice a week. Sundays are the treat day. What i make I will blog about. I hope it will help you out with the dreaded asked question, "What's for dinner mom!" This first recipe is from a friend (Denise Whitmer) I tweaked it just a little. you can do this recipe without the sausage. yesterday was the first time I tried it with the sausage. It's yummy without it also.
Baked Ziti with italian sausage.
1 Pkg. Italian sausage (it's in the meat section).
1 Lb. Ziti or penne pasta
4 Tbsp. Butter
1/4 Cup flour
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning (down baking isle. It's with the herbs and seasonings)
1 spoonful of prepared garlic or 3 cloves of fresh garlic
3 cups Milk (i use half n half) it is fine with milk if you are watching your wasteline if you don't care then make with the half n half.
1/4 tsp. Pepper
6-8oz. grated or shredded parmesan cheese
3 cups spaghetti sauce (I use prego, traditional)
cook pasta and according to the package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
Cut up the italian sausage into bite size pieces and cook. Don't forget to take off the skin on the sausage. Kind of gross I know. YUCK!
While the pasta cooks and you have a spare burner, melt the butter ina heavy medium-size saucepan over moderate heat. Stir in the flour, forming a smooth paste (this is also called a roux), add the garlic and italian seasoning, and cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Gradually stir in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderately low, add the pepper and cook, still stirring until thickened and smooth--3-4 minutes. Blend in the cheese and sausage and remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add the cheese sauce to the ziti and mix well. In a 3 quart casserole or 13x9x2 inch baking dish, alternate layers of the ziti and cheese sauce with the layers of tomato sauce, ending with the ziti. I always put a little extra cheese on top (mozarella). I also put mozzarella between layers. I love cheese what can i say!!
Bake uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbling.
You can split this recipe in half and freeze the other half. I do that all the time. It's comes in handy when you have a crazy day. You can take that out and cook it. Just make sure you take it out that morning to defrost or you will be eating ziti popcycles!
Enjoy. I love this recipe because it is quick and easy.
Jeffers Jams
