Baked Ziti

While visiting my sister this Christmas, we were served this delicious dish! Our whole family enjoyed it so much that I begged for the recipe (didn't really have to beg). I've already made it for a large dinner party at my house!

1 box penne pasta noodles
olive oil or salt
spaghetti sauce
Ricotta cheese
meatballs
shredded mozzarella cheese
dried parsley

Bake the noodles according to package directions (with salt or olive oil). Place a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on bottom of lasagna pan then pour in the cooked noodles. Spoon Ricotta cheese over the noodles every inch or so. Next place the meatballs on top and pour more sauce over them. Cover with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with dried parsley. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

Serve with extra sauce on the table.

Spaghetti Sauce

*This very yummy recipe is used by my sister's mother-in-law. She found it in a 1960's McCall's magazine*

1/3 c. olive oil or salad oil
1 1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can (2 lb. 3 oz) Italian tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 T. chopped parsley
1 T. salt
1 T. sugar
1 t. dried oregano leaves
1 t. dried basil leaves
1/4 t. pepper

In hot oil in 5 quart Dutch oven, saute onion and garlic 5 minutes. Mix in rest of sauce ingredients and 1 1/2 c. water, mashing tomatoes with a fork. Bring to boiling and reduce heat. Simmer mixture, covered and stirring occasionally, 1 hour.