Thanksgiving Baked Ziti

What makes this a Thanksgiving baked ziti? I make ziti for Thanksgiving. With a handful of vegetarians in my family, I need to find other mains for the plate that aren’t just vegetables. So we get Thanksgiving baked ziti.

What I love most about mid-to-late November is bringing my family together and cooking for them. I enjoy putting together a family dinner. I show you that I love you when I cook a good meal for you. It’s less about the idea of Thanksgiving and more about having the time off from work to get together.

A Thanksgiving dinner really isn’t a Thanksgiving dinner unless there’s carbs upon carbs. Not only do you get ziti, but I make mashed potatoes, yams, mac and cheese, and corn bread. For color, I throw in some collard greens and canned cranberry sauce. The canned cranberry sauce is only for my mom and Brian. And if needed, there’s usually another vegetable main for the vegans.

Making the Thanksgiving Baked Ziti

According to a few people, I outdid myself last year. The food was so good, I’m told I can only make Thanksgiving dinner when I’m pregnant. That is not the case this year, so wish me luck. However, I am so excited to have Liam help me cook this year. Over the last year, Liam has been so active with Brian and me in the kitchen. He makes cookies with dad and dinner with mom. I love it and I can’t wait to have him help me. This kitchen stool really makes a difference!

Between pink pasta, red pepper pasta, baked mac and cheese, and plain pasta with red sauce, baked ziti is like the third easiest pasta dish to make. It combines everything people love: pasta and cheese.

Since Brian joined our Thanksgivings, he makes me make a turkey. I usually get a really small turkey or a small chicken because we’re the only two who will eat it. When I prep for Thanksgiving, I usually make the mac and cheese mixture and the pasta mixture the night before. They sit in the fridge and once the turkey is done, they go in the oven.

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Thanksgiving Baked Ziti

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Dinner – Italian

By Lilies and Loafers – Serves: 8+

Prep Time: 15 minutes – Cooking Time: 35 minutes – Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 box of ziti pasta
• 16oz of your favorite pasta sauce (store brought it homemade)
• 16oz of ricotta cheese
• 2 tbsp of chopped fresh basil
• 2 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
• 1 pound of shredded mozzarella
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2

Bring a large of pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta.

3

While the pasta is cooking, combine ricotta cheese, basil, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

4

Once pasta is al dente, drain and add to a casserole baking dish.

5

Stir in the sauce, ricotta mixture, and a half pound of the mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining half pound of mozzarella cheese on top.

6

Bake for 30-35 mins, and make sure the cheese is completed melted through.

7

Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.