Big batch Freezer Baked Ziti

Updated at: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:12:47 GMT

Step 1

Start boiling water for noodles. Cook to package.

Step 2

Combine cottage cheese, eggs and lemon zest in a bowl. Set aside for later.

Step 3

Grate mozzarella and provolone cheese

Step 4

For the sauce, add a drizzle of oil to a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and brown well, breaking up the meat as it browns.

Step 5

Add mushrooms, onions, and garlic after the beef browns. Turn heat down to medium and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables soften.

Step 6

Add tomatoes to the skillet along with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes. If the sauce gets too thick, thin with a little water.

Step 7

When the ziti is boiled, drain and stir in all the meat sauce. Stir in all the meat sauce. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Lay out 3 freezable baking pans. Add 1/6 of the pasta mixture to each pan.

Step 9

Top with 1/6 of cottage cheese mixture in each pan and sprinkle with mozzarella and provolone cheese.

Step 10

Repeat with a 2nd layer of pasta mixture, cottage cheese mixture and grated cheese.

Step 11

If baking immediately: cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes followed by 10-15 minutes, uncovered

Step 12

For freezing: Let dishes cool completely, then cover with a double layer of foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Step 13

To reheat: Move ziti straight from the freezer to the oven at 350. Let it bake for an hour, covered, to thaw, and completely warm through. Remove the foil and let bake for an additional 15 minutes or so until ziti is bubbling in the center and warmed through.

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