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Baked Ziti
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Baked Ziti with Sour Cream (gluten-free option)

Course Main, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 465kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or whatever type you want)
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1.5 lbs (680 grams) ground beef
  • 6-8 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 16 oz (470 ml) can tomato sauce or use 1 small can tomato paste mixed with two cans water
  • 1 32 oz (946 ml) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dry thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar optional, only if needed for the sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups (355 ml ) sour cream
  • 400 grams (about 3 2/3 cups) grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 24-ounce (700 grams) package dry ziti pasta (or rigatoni or penne - use a gluten-free pasta to make this dish GF) cooked according to package directions

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.  Saute the onion for 5-7 minutes, till translucent.  Add the ground beef and break up with a cooking utensil.  Brown the beef.  When almost done, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes before adding the tomato sauce(or paste and water) and diced tomatoes.  Add the bay leaves, italian seasoning and thyme and salt and pepper as desired and bring to a boil.  Turn down and simmer till as thick as you'd like it.  I like to simmer mine as long as I can, but 20 minutes is enough.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.  Drain and set aside.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Once the sauce is done cooking, taste for seasonings, adding more salt as needed, and the tablespoon of sugar if needed.  In a 9x13 pan, spread a small amount of the sauce along the bottom.  Add half the pasta, then half the sauce.  Top with the sour cream by dropping small spoonfuls all over the surface and then gently spreading them.  Top with half the cheese.  Add the rest of the pasta, then the rest of the sauce and finally the rest of the mozzarella cheese. 
  • Place in the oven to bake for 35-40 minutes until the sauce can be seen bubbling. Broil so that the top gets golden if desired, then let cool for a few minutes before serving alongside a green salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal