The Backroad Life: Baked Ziti

We are a pasta loving family and usually have some sort of pasta meal once a week. The great thing about pasta meals is that they are pretty inexpensive and easy to prepare. They feeds the whole family and also make great leftovers. You really can't go wrong with a pasta meal. This baked ziti recipe is one that can be made ahead and froze for later or can be made and enjoyed for a meal that day.

I remember growing up, when my dad and grandpa were in the field during planting and harvest, my mom would often times take out a meal to the field. Some of the best memories seriously are just sitting on the tailgate or in the back of the Tahoe enjoying lunch in the field. Pasta meals are some I remember us having!

Paired with a light salad and a bread stick or garlic bread, a complete meal has been made. Of course my mom would always take out cookies or something sweet for after the meal too! :)

As kids, my brother and I would sit around with family and eat our lunch in the field, then we were always sure to grab a tractor or combine ride with my dad or grandpa. So many memories in the field from growing up, that I want my kiddos to have some of the same experiences and I love taking them to the field when I'm helping my dad, for a meal in the field or a tractor/combine ride.

There are so many great meals that work out great for eating in the field, including this baked ziti dish! It can be prepared and cooked that day or prepared and froze to cook at a later time. Freezer meals are a lifesaver sometimes in our family. It's so nice to have them prepared and in the freezer and then if you know its going to be a busy day, just simply setting one out in the morning to thaw and cook when you get home. So easy and definitely takes the occasional stress out of dinner time for the day!

Last week I enjoyed a freezer meal party with my farm blogger friends sponsored by Indiana Family of Farmers. We got together and prepared freezer meals. Each of us prepared our recipe 8 times, for everyone to take one home. In return, we went home with 8 different freezer meals! 64 freezer meals in 2 1/2 hours!! A lot of fun and worth it!

If you are interested in doing your own freezer meal party check out the great tips Cherie over at The Queen of Free!!

Everyone loves a good pasta dish and baked ziti is tasty and pretty filling meal! Here I actually used penne pasta.

Baked Ziti

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, browned
1/2 small onion, diced
1 box ziti pasta, or penne
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 24 oz. jar pasta sauce
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Minced garlic
Dried parsley
Dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cook the ground beef and diced onion seasoned with minced garlic, pepper, parsley, and oregano until browned. Drain off any grease. Cook pasta noodles until al dente. Drain pasta. In an 9x13 baking dish, add the pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and pepper to taste. Mix all together. In a separate bowl add the browned seasoned ground beef and the jar of pasta sauce and mix together. Then add on top of the pasta/cheese mixture in the baking dish. Mix together the pasta and meat sauce in the dish until the pasta is coated well with the sauce. Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve.

Baked Ziti - Freezer Meal

Adjustments to Directions:
After cooking pasta and draining, rinse pasta to cool it off. Add cold pasta to a 9x13 disposable pan. Continue with the rest of the preparation. Cover the prepared baked ziti with one layer of saran wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. This will help prevent any freezer burn. Good in the freezer for about 2 months. For baking, thaw baked ziti and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.