EASY BAKED ZITI FOR A CROWD RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the beef, sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, salt, pepper flakes and pepper., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover; simmer 15-30 minutes longer or until sauce reaches desired thickness. Discard bay leaf. Cool., Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sauce mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Romano cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and pasta., Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Dot with 1/2 cup ricotta cheese. Top with pasta mixture. Pour remaining sauce mixture over the top. Dot with remaining ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan cheeses., Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until bubbly.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti or penne pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
• In a large skillet, brown onion, ground beef and crumbled sausage over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
• In medium bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, egg & Italian seasoning.
• Spray one jumbo or two large aluminum foil pans with cooking spray.
• Layer ingredients as follows: • half of the sauce • half of the ziti • half of the Provolone cheese, • half of the mozzarella
• Layer remaining sauce, ziti, provolone & mozzarella.
• Spread all of ricotta/sour cream mixture on top.
• Sprinkle parmesan on top.
• Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly, about 45 minutes.
• IF FREEZING: Assemble as above but do not bake. Wrap well, label, and freeze.
• TO COOK FROM FROZEN: Place in fridge to thaw a few days before serving. Bake at 350 until bubbly. Allow to rest at least a half hour before serving.