Pasta

Easy Dump-and-Bake Ziti

Name: Easy Dump-and-Bake Ziti
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) box ziti or penne; 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce; 1 jar water (use the empty sauce jar); 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes; 1 teaspoon Italian dressing; 2 teaspoons granulated garlic, divided; 1 pound browned ground meat or meatballs, optional; 6 ounces Parmesan cheese; 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Everything goes straight into the casserole dish, making this the kind of dependable dinner busy weeknights need.

Total: 55 minutesMakes: 8 servings

How to make it

Heat the oven to 400°F. Add the uncooked pasta to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Pour in the sauce, then fill the empty jar with water and pour it over the pasta. Do not stir.
Add the diced tomatoes, Italian dressing and 1 teaspoon of the garlic.
Layer browned meat or meatballs on top, if using. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Frozen meatballs may need a little more time.
Uncover and stir. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella, then sprinkle with the remaining garlic and Italian seasoning.
Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.

Holly’s note: Keep the foil sealed tightly during the first bake—the trapped steam is what cooks the pasta.