Baked Ziti ~ By Valerie

For some reason, our family hasn't been real big Italian food lovers.  However, this has been one Italian dish that we all seem to like a lot.   It resembles lasagna in taste, but seems easier to make!

6-8 ServingsPrep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min. + standing

Ingredients

• 12 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
• 2 pounds ground turkey or beef
• 1 jar (28 ounces) spaghetti sauce (We usually add extra sauce which keeps it from being on the dry side.)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
• 2-1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large
• skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
• Stir in spaghetti sauce.

• In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups
• mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta; add to
• cheese mixture and stir until blended. 
• Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking
• dish; top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with
• remaining meat sauce.
• Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until a thermometer
• reads 160°. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 15
• minutes before serving.
• Yield: 6-8 servings.

Source:  Old Taste of Home magazine clipping