feeding the village // baked ziti

In this new segment, I'll be showing you what I've made for my dinner group.  So to preface, my dinner group is composed of a number of friends of mine that live in my complex and we have dinner together Sunday-Thursday.  There's about 10 of us and it works out that each one of us has to cook about once every two weeks.  I love dinner group and I highly recommend it to everyone.  It's a cheap and fun option for us youngsters that live close and have similar schedules.

So on this occasion I decided to make a simple baked ziti (which surprisingly no one in my group had ever heard of).  This dish is really easy and is always yummy, and is great for using up all the bits and bobs in your fridge.  For instance, this time I used some ground turkey I had in the freezer and some spinach that I needed to use up.

I began by boiling my box of penne.  While I was doing that I sauteed the turkey adding in salt, pepper, oregano and basil.  Once the turkey was nearly cooked through I added in the spinach and kept cooking until both were thoroughly cooked.  Then drain the liquid and remove from heat.

 

Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and put it back in the pot.  Add in the turkey and spinach and then add your sauces.  Give it a taste and see if it needs any more seasoning to your liking.

 Move your pasta into a greased baking dish and cover it generously with mozzarella cheese.  Then place in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Take the dish out when the cheese is sufficiently melty, et voila c'est fini!

Baked Ziti

• 13.25 oz box penne
• 1lb ground turkey
• 1tsp dried oregano
• 1tsp dried basil
• 1/2 bag of baby spinach
• 12oz bottle spaghetti sauce
• 12oz bottle alfredo sauce (I used a homemade sauce, I will post the recipe for it once I have it perfected)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 and boiling your pasta in salted water.  Next sautee the turkey adding in the salt, pepper, oregano and basil.  Once the turkey is nearly cooked through add in the spinach and keep cooking until both were thoroughly cooked.  Then drain the liquid and remove from heat. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it and put it back in the pot.  Add in the turkey and spinach and then add your sauces.  Give it a taste and see if it needs any more seasoning to your liking. Move your pasta into a greased baking dish and cover it generously with mozzarella cheese.  Then place it in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Take the dish out when the cheese is melty, but not yet brown and enjoy.

Notes:  This dish is totally versatile feel free to use whatever pasta you want.  Also, you can put whatever meat or vegetables you would like and as much or as little sauce as you want.  I tend to go for more rather than less sauce with this because it can be a bit dry with too little sauce.

With this, I served a simple salad with romaine, cauliflower and croutons.  As well as the chameleon bread with a plate full of olive oil and herbs for dipping.  Dinner was a huge hit and there was nothing leftover, so give it a try!