1 lb Ziti or Penne Pasta
1 container Ricotta cheese (16oz)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil
1 tsp Salt or to taste
1 tsp Black pepper or to taste
1/2 tsp Red pepper or to tase
2 cups Parmesan cheese
1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 24oz Jar Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce
Olive oil to grease pan
1. Boil water in saucepan with salt and olive oil to flavor pasta and avoid sticking.
2. Cook pasta in saucepan for about 1-2 minutes less than the minimum cook time on the box/container. You want it to be a little firmer than al dente because you will be cooking the pasta further in the oven. Drain pasta.
3. In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese, 1 cup of parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper.
4. Chop up half of basil and add to mixture.
5. Combine mixture with pasta and at least half a jar of Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce and mix thoroughly.
6. Lightly coat 9x12 baking pan with olive oil and a thin layer of Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce
7. Pour pasta and sauce mixture into 9 x 12 baking pan.
8. Evenly distribute bread crumbs and remaining mozzarella and parmesan over top of pasta mixture.
9. Bake in oven at 375°for about 45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
10. Allow 5-10 minutes to cool. Add remaining basil to top of ziti.
11. Serve topped with remaining Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce.
Serves at least 6-8 people.
Homemade Pizza Dough
1 package active dry yeast
3 cups bread flour
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1.5 cups water
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp honey
1/2 cup sesame seeds (optional)
1 24oz Jar Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce
Extra flour for kneading and mixing
Making the Dough:
1. Heat water to between 105° and 115°.
2. Stir in yeast and let bubble for 5-7 minutes.
3. When yeast is ready, add in flour, salt, and sugar.
4. Form mountain of flour mixture and form a hole in the middle and pour in olive oil.
5. Add in honey and ¼ cup sesame seeds.
6. Mix using electric mixer or spoon by hand.
7. Using extra dough on surface and your hands, knead dough by hand or using rolling pin for 7-10 minutes, rolling into a ball.
8. Grease a separate bowl with olive oil and place ball of dough in bowl.
9. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour. Dough should rise considerably.
10. Poke down risen dough, remove from bowl and knead again for 5-10 minutes.
11. Let dough sit and rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Making the Pizza:
1. Place dough on a clean, floured surface.
2. Knead dough and form into flat, round or square pizza crust.
3. Form outer crust using your fingers.
4. Sprinkle remaining sesame seeds around outer crust.
5. Place dough on lightly greased pizza stone or pizza crisper.
6. Brush pizza crust lightly with olive oil and bake in over for 10 minutes at 375°.
7. Remove from oven and add toppings, Nanny's Cucina Marinara Sauce, cheese, etc. and bake for another 20-25 minutes until golden brown.