Baked Zitti

Our friends Jeff and Amber sent us their awesome cookbook again this Christmas, full of tried and true recipes that have the habit of becoming Larson Family Favorites. Here is one recipe we have eaten a lot lately:

Baked Zitti (Rachel Ray)

3 garlic cloves
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (14oz) can crushed tomatoes
salt
pepper
Basil
1 lb Zitti noodles
3 T Butter
3 TB Flour
Nutmeg
3 Cups Milk
1/2 cup Asiago cheese **
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese**
1 cup cubed Mozzarella cheese

** I get the Parmesan blend (which includes Asiago and other cheeses) that comes in those shakers, and add a full cup.

1. Start cooking noodles. Remove when slightly chewy.
2. Saute garlic for 2 minutes.
3. To garlic, add tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Add 1/4 TB Basil and simmer another 10 minutes
5.To create a white sauce, heat a second pan and melt butter and whisk in flour, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of Nutmeg. Whisk in milk and bring to a bubble. Stir constantly and don't let sauce stick to bottom of pan. Cook 4 minutes, or until thickened. Set aside.
6. In a casserole dish, mix drained noodles and tomato sauce. Press down slightly with wooden spoon.
7. Pour white sauce over the top BUT DO NOT MIX.
8. Sprinkle with Parmesan and Asiago cheeses and then top with Mozzarella chunks.
9. Broil on Low until cheese on top is melted and slightly browned. (approx 7 minutes) If broiler is on High, watch carefully and remove after approx. 2 minutes.

To prove how delicious it is, here are some pictures of Ian after having Baked Zitti for dinner. He ate nearly as much as I did, in addition to what he is wearing. But he's a fickle kid -- he refused to eat the leftovers the next day.