Vegetarian Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 3 cups mozzarella, (shredded + DIVIDED)
• 2 cups parmesan cheese, (shredded + DIVIDED)
• 2 large egg, (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup fresh basil, (julienned)
• 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, (DIVIDED)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (16-ounce) box ziti
• 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce

Instructions

1. 1

   Arrange an oven rack to the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 350°F (177ºC) degrees.

2. 2

   Butter a piece of foil, long enough to cover 9X13 inch baking dish, on one side, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

3. 3

   Pour 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9X13 inch baking dish.

4. 4

   Cook ziti (16 ounces) according to box instructions, in water with 2 tablespoons of salt, until not quite al dente, (I cooked for 7 minutes). Drain pasta well. Dry pasta pot.

5. 5

   Return the well-drained ziti to the empty pasta pot and toss with all the remaining marinara sauce, and (1 tablespoon) dried Italian seasoning.

6. 6

   In a large mixing bowl, stir together ricotta cheese (24 ounces), 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, 1 cup parmesan, beaten egg (2), fresh basil (1 cup), the remaining 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, dried rosemary (1 1/2 teaspoons), nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon), salt (1/2 teaspoon) and pepper (1/2 teaspoon) until well combined; set aside.

7. 7

   Layer half the sauce coated pasta in the prepared baking dish.

8. 8

   Spread the cheese mixture over the pasta layer.

9. 9

   Top with remaining half of pasta then cover with prepared foil, butter side down on top of pasta. Bake until heated through and bubbly, about 35-40 minutes.

10. 10

    Remove from oven and remove foil. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella then 1 cup of parmesan. Return to oven and continue to bake until cheese is completely melted and golden brown. Let sit for 10-12 minutes before serving.