Baked Ziti

I'll be honest, this dish requires more work than my previous posts. It's still easy to make, it just requires more of your time. It is well worth it though. If you're ever trying to impress someone with a good homemmade italian dinner, this will do the trick.


Baked Ziti
1- 16 ounce package of ziti
1 pound ground beef* (or 1/2 pound ground beef and half pound sausage)
1 cup onions, diced
1- 26 ounce jar tomato and basil pasta sauce
1- 14.5 ounce can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 tablespoon basil pesto (I omitted this)
2 cups Italian cheese blend
1- 15 ounce container Ricotta cheese

Cook and drain ziti.

Brown the meat and onions.

                                     

Stir in pasta sauce, tomatoes and basil presto. Simmer 5-10 minutes

Combine ricotta and 1 cup cheese and toss with pasta.

Pour pasta into a greased 9x13 dish. Put the meat mixture over the pasta and top with the remaining cheese.

Bake 12-15 minutes at 375 degrees

I paired the baked ziti with some garlic bread. Absolutely delicious :)

Taco Dip

This may just be my favorite recipe. It is absolutely delicious! Robert and our friends love it so much I have had several people ask for the recipe. Not to mention every UFC fight or football game I make this dip for everyone. It is a easy appetizer, tailgating food or even meal itself. Yummm :)

I must admit I am not a fan of refried beans or sour cream (this dish contains both) but I absolutely love this! With all the flavors and textures combined it is difficult to distinguish one ingredient from another. Everything compliments each other and you don't even realize what you are really eating! Don't knock it 'till you try it.

Hot Ground Beef Mexican Dip A.K.A "Taco Dip"

-1 pound ground beef

-1 16 ounce can refried beans

-1 envelope taco seasoning

-1 cup sour cream

-1 16 ounce jar of salsa

-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

*optional: jalapenos and/or black olives

Brown the ground beef and drain the grease. Stir in the refried beans and the taco seasoning. Ill admit at this point it doesn't look too appetizing but trust me, it will!

Spoon into a 9x13 baking dish. Combine the sour cream and salsa and then spread over the meat mixture. (I know, I know...it still doesn't look to appetizing...just hang in there!)

 Sprinkle with cheese...

Now bake it at 400 degrees until bubbly; about 30 minutes. Serve it with tortilla chips or "scoops" Frito's. We prefer the Frito's :) You can even put it in a taco shell if you want.



See, it finally looks better doesn't it! You'll definitely have to try this one out for yourselves...its a guaranteed favorite :)