RECIPE: Three Cheese Baked Ziti (Vegetarian)

This three-cheese ziti is easy to make and super delicious. Pairs well with yummy homemade garlic bread!

Vegetarian Tip: Check your cheeses to make sure the product does not contain rennet. While sometimes derived from vegetable sources (it will say!), rennet is typically produced from the stomach of cows. You can read more here (if you have the, eh, stomach for it): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennet.

If you make changes to the recipe with good results, please post in the comments section!

Three Cheese Baked Ziti (Vegetarian):
Prep Time: 20 mintues
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 lb penne rigata pasta
1 25-oz jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I use the Whole Foods 365 Brand Tomato & Eggplant)
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp of basil (can use dry or fresh, we use dried in the winter)
sea salt and fresh-ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, combine 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce (not the whole jar, folks), ricotta cheese, Parmesan and basil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Allow the cooked pasta to cool for 5 minutes, then toss with the cheese & sauce mixture.
4. Spread 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce on the bottom of a square (8x8, 9x9) baking dish. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and drizzle the remaining sauce over the top.
5. Top with mozzarella cheese (don't be shy) and bake uncovered, until the top is golden brown and bubbly...about 30 minutes.
6. Serve immediately!

Bon Appetit!