Ziti uh, Penne RECIPE!!!

Ok Here we go!


The last 2 pans I made had 16 servings and the one before that made about 32. I used those big aluminum pans like from Dollar tree. So many servings? Well I'm just accustomed to cooking for a large family! Its so hard cooking for a family of two now, which is how I still ended up with 16 servings, lol.  
Lots of time we have many leftovers.. of course I take some down to my parents...etc




Here's what I used need:
-1 1/2 lb box of whole wheat PENNE pasta. (I didnt actually use ziti because I prefer penne, does that mean I should change my recipe to baked penne? LoL)
-3 lbs Ground Turkey, Chicken or beef(I like to do half/half with turkey and beef)
-----(You can cut in half depending on how many servings you need)
-1 lb. of Shredded Sharp cheddar, 
-1 lb. of Shredded Mozzarella
-6 slices of Non-smoked provolone
-45 oz Jar of Sauce, Chunky garden Veggie
-32 oz can of Mushroom spaghetti sauce
-large can of diced tomato 
-2 yellow onion, diced
-1/2 cup sugar (adjustable)
-1 clove garlic, roasted and pureed* OR just minced
-1 10oz container of tomato and basil cream cheese**


NEXT:
-I boil the meat until its cooked through, drain under warm water, transfer to pot.
-In a large pot I bring water and a bit of sea salt to a boil, add pasta
-cook until al dente not to soft.
-drain pasta, under cold water. sit aside
-I then mix the sauces, tomatoes, onion and sugar into the meat. Stir.
-Then I add the cream cheese, Mix in.
-Lastly after pasta has cooled I mix it into the sauce.
-I preheat the oven about 400 degree
-Spray the deep aluminum pan with olive spray(or any)
-Continue stirring the sauce until cream cheese is well mixed in.
-pour half of sauce mixture into pan
-Arrange over sauce 6 slices of provolone
-Layer 1/2 each of cheddar and mozzarella
-Pour remaining sauce over cheese
-Cover with aluminum foil


-Bake for 45 minutes to an hour (depending)
-May have to remove foil half way through if sauce has not setteled
-After pasta has baked and sauce has settled take and set out
-Layer remaining 1/2 and 1/2 of cheeses on top


Once you read the extra information below, and you decide to try the roasted garlic, you may decide to use remaining pureed garlic to spread on nice crusty bread of your choice, broil in oven 5 -6 minutes or so.. Homemade garlic bread, Yum!








* Before these wonderful flavored cream cheeses came out. I used to add a secret addition of a cream cheese mixture I would make myself. I would take an 8 oz package of cream cheese. let it come to room temp and soften, all the while roasting some garlic cloves. Once the garlic is very softly roasted, would puree it in blender, throw in the cream cheese and mix. Once all the sauces were mixed and I'd added the meat to the sauce I would mix in the garlic/cheese mixture. The sauce then takes on a sort of red orange color. ....However
**I have substituted this cream cheese mixture for pre-flavored cream cheese. Either tomato and basil or the garlic.


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