This is the easiest “baked” ziti you will ever make. No baking required and it is gooey, the kids love that. If for any reason it is not hot enough for you simply microwave the individual portions, this will make the cheese even gooier.
*** If your family is vegetarian or you just want to save some money simply omit the meat and add all of the spices directly to the marinara sauce.
1 lb. Ziti
1 jar of your favorite Marinara sauce
½ lb. Ground Beef (¾ lb. if it is very fatty)
1 package of Sazon – a seasoning found in the Spanish foods section
Garlic powder
Minced garlic in oil (this is sold in a jar in the produce section and is one of the most important things to have in your arsenal)
Dried onion flakes (sold in the spices section and is another item that should be added to your cabinet)
Parsley flakes
Basil flakes
Ground pepper
1 - 8 oz. package of shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 – 16 oz. container of Ricotta cheese
Boil the ziti as usual.
Pre-heat a 12” frying pan (must have a lid) and spray with non-stick cooking spray, add just a small dot of cooking oil.
Add the minced garlic to the frying pan and get it nice and hot, but do not burn it. Add the onion flakes and let the two flavors really mix.
Add the ground beef and keep stirring to get the meat nice and brown. Add the pepper and garlic powder to taste, and the full envelope of Sazon. Ensuring that the meat is well cooked, break it up as much as possible.
Put the lid on and drain as much fat as you possibly can, carefully shake the pan up and down, make sure the meat is as dry as is possible. Return the pan to the stove.
Add the jar of sauce. Add the parsley and basil to taste. Stir and mix well. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Once both the ziti and sauce are ready drain the pasta and put it in a very large mixing bowl.
While the ziti is very hot, add half of the Mozzarella cheese so that it will melt on the pasta. Stir well.
Add the Ricotta cheese and again, mix well.
Add the meat sauce to the pasta and mix well.
Top with the remaining Mozzarella cheese and serve.
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