From the recipe description:
This baked ziti is precisely what I want to eat when it’s cold outside. Hearty, saucy, cheesy pasta with redeeming whole grains and protein-rich lentils to keep me fueled for hours.
Here's how I made it:
1 package Trader Joe's steamed lentils (17 ounces, ready to heat)
12 oz pasta
1 jar of marinara sauce
1 generous cup of cottage cheese
1 cube of Trader Joe's crushed frozen garlic
1.5-2 loosely packed cups of grated cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
- boil pasta al dente, drain, put back in pot
- add lentils (I heated them in the microwave first, but I'm not sure that was necessary)
- add garlic
- add 1/2 coup of grated cheese (I used cheddar, because that's what I had, but mozzarella might be better), let melt
- pour one cup of marinara sauce into baking dish (I used a 13x9, but I don't think it matters)
- add pasta/lentil mix, spread evenly
- spoon cottage cheese in dollops on top, spread just a little
- add rest of sauce
- add rest of cheese (1 lightly packed cup should be enough, I think I used a bit too much, as you can see in the first picture)
- bake for 30 minutes at 350 F
- if you like a crunchy layer, broil for 3 additional minutes at the end
The dish came out great. It was very satisfying in a "I'm eating pasta and cheese, but it might not be 100% unhealthy" kind of way. Even my finicky 9-year old liked it. About generous portions (recipe says 6-8, but I would make more if I had to feed 8 hungry people in the middle of winter). We'll happily finish off what is left tonight.
Happy New Year!
