baked ziti

• 3+ cups of meat sauce
• 1lb ziti noodles
• 1 large container of part skim ricotta cheese
• 1 lb part skim mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook ziti in slightly salted water until just done, drain and rinse with cold water. Combine all ingredients in large casserole dish, adjusting the amount of sauce until desired consistency is reached. Baked covered in the oven for 40 minutes (or until done) at 350 degrees.

The dish: Baked ziti is the classic dish to bring to a potluck dinner or to share with friends. This batch was sectioned into individual portions and frozen (using our cool vacuum sealer), then given to my sister-in-law who has had a tough week; her father passed away after a long period of illness. As if that wasn't enough to deal with she's also helping her recently widowed mother and tending to my brother who has a leg that is broken in two places. Oh yeah, and she works for an accountant and it's the final stretch of tax season. She's been artfully dealing with her overflowing plate with an amazing amount of poise and my brother has been more involved and mobile than someone who has a recently implanted titanium rod probably should be. If any two people need a rest and some comfort it's them, and there is probably no greater comfort food than baked ziti. Our thoughts, prayers and baked pasta dishes go out to both of you.