Baked Ziti

Just got this recipe off the back of the San Giorgio Ziti pasta box and loved it.  Seriously was able to throw this together in 15 minutes, get it into the oven and wa-la!  Fast and easy and tastes like yummy lasagna (but without all the stinkin' work and time required of lasagna).

Makes 10 servings (1 cup each)

1 package (1 lb.) ziti pasta, uncooked (or really any tubular pasta)
3 cups (about 26-oz jar) spaghetti sauce, divided
1 3/4 cups (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 T dried parsley flakes
1 egg
1 t dried oregano leaves
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper
3 T grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375.  Cook pasta according to package directions for 9 minutes.  In large bowl, stir together hot pasta, 1 1/2 c. spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  In 13 x 9" pan, spoon pasta mixture, top with remaining 1 1/2 c. sauce.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; cover with foil.  Bake 30 min. or until hot and bubbly.

Make ahead direction:  Prepare recipe as directed, but do not bake.  Cover with plastic wrap, then foil.  Refrigerate up to 24 hours or freeze up to 2 months.  Thaw frozen version in refrigerator overnight.  Remove plastic wrap; replace foil.  Bake as directed, adding about 10 minutes to baking time.

So I don't know if anyone has trouble with sugar cookies, but I sure do.  My friend Hayley brough James Valentine cookies from her daughter, Kate, (James is 14 months and Kate is 20 months - how cute is that?) and they were yuuuummmy - so she kindly shared the recipe adding that they always turned out.  THAT is what I am talking about.  I have yet to make them myself, but plan to very soon.  =) 

Sugar Cookies (Old Fashioned Butter Cookies)

Hayley Bahr

3 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 c. butter (must be real butter)

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg

2 T. milk

1½ tsp. vanilla

 

Cream butter, sugar, and egg. Add the dry ingredients and the milk and vanilla. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour for easier handling if you have time. Roll out thick. Cut dough with favorite cookie cutters and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 400 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes. Cookies may not look done but do not overcook.

 

Note: We usually 3-4 times the recipe for Valentines and Christmas. One batch makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Hayley Bahr

Melt in a small saucepan:

1/2 c butter or margarine

1/4 c. evaporated milk

Heat but do not boil. Take off cook top and add:

1 tsp. vanilla

1 lb. powdered sugar, about 4 cups

Beat until the right consistency to frost cookies. Frosting thickens as it stands, so you will need to thin it with more milk as you frost cookies.