Method

• Start by filling a huge tall pot with water and dump all your Ziti into it.
• Just using your hands, swish around the noodles to rinse and then drain in a colander.
• Take that pot and put on high heat and slightly heat it up and then dump the ziti into the pot.
• There will be a lot of liquid and you need to get rid of all that liquid by letting it simmer for quite a while (about 15 or more minutes).
• Add about a tablespoon of salt for all of these packages for seasoning. Less salt for less noodles. They need salt just like pasta does.
• Keep tossing the noodles until they are almost sticking to the pot and all the liquid is gone.
• Have your marina ready for use. As soon as the noodles start sticking turn off the heat and add one 16oz jar of and stir.
• While you are letting the noodles cook you can work on the meat.
• Heat up a large skillet with a good drizzle of Olive oil and if you are using the onion and garlic, first add chopped onion and saute for a few minute then add chopped garlic.
• (You can definitely skip it and just add the ground meat and season with salt, garlic powder and onion powder)
• After onions and garlic are cooked, remove and set aside or it could burn.
• Add your meat to skillet and cook to a deep crusty brown.
• Add your onions and garlic back into the pan stir to combine and turn off the heat.
• Take your ground meat mixture and pour it into the Ziti noodles and stir it all up.
• Now add the shredded Mozzarella and stir again to combine. Pour into a slightly large oiled casserole pan and spread it out evenly.
• Top it with the 8oz of the mozzarella.
• Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes until all the cheese is melted and slightly brown.
• Serve with extra marina on top if you want saucy ziti. And don't forget the freshly grated Parmesan Cheese. Enjoy!!