Cheesy Layered Meatballs and Ziti
This tasty casserole can be prepared and eaten right away, or vacuum packaged and frozen for future use.
Serve steaming hot with fresh Caesar salad and garlic bread.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes including cook time fort ziti
- Bake Time: about 1 hour
- Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 30 Italian-Style Meatballs (one FoodSaverŪ Bag)
- 6 cups cooked tube pasta such as ziti or rigatoni (about 8 ounces dry)
- 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
- 1-1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack or mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
To make the casserole now:
- Thaw meatballs in refrigerator overnight or immerse sealed FoodSaverŪ Bag in cold water until meatballs are thawed, or cut corner of bag and defrost in microwave on defrost setting for 6 to 8 minutes or until meatballs are slightly soft.
- Combine meatballs, pasta and marinara sauce.
- Spread half the meatballs and pasta mixture in a 2 to 3-quart baking dish or pan.
- Layer 1 cup of the shredded cheese and all the cottage or ricotta cheese over meatballs and pasta.
- Top with remaining meatballs and pasta.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese and the Parmesan cheese.
- Cover pan tightly with foil.
- Bake at 375 F for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 15-20 minutes until heated through.
To make the casserole and freeze for future use:
- Do not thaw meatballs.
- Line a 2-quart baking dish or pan with aluminum foil, allowing foil to hang over edge.
- Combine frozen meatballs, pasta and marinara sauce.
- Follow directions above for assembling casserole.
- Cover pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Freeze several hours or until firm.
- Lift out of pan with aluminum foil. Place into a gallon-size FoodSaverŪ Bag. Vacuum package, label and return to freezer.
- To thaw, remove from FoodSaverŪ Bag and return to the same pan. (Leave foil on for easier clean up, if desired.) Place in refrigerator overnight or up to two days.
- Bake covered with foil at 375 F for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 15-20 minutes until heated through.
- Vacuum package and freeze any leftover to enjoy this meal another time!
Note:
This casserole can be made directly after the master recipe meatballs are cooked.
Either bake right away and enjoy, or vacuum package the entire casserole and freeze for future use.
http://www.Foodsaver.com - has helped millions of households keep food fresh longer in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry. The FoodSaver system is designed to remove air and extend the freshness of food up to five times longer than conventional storage methods.
To get more recipes please visit: http://www.foodsaver.com/Recipes.aspx
Source: www.isnare.com
