Baked Ziti Pasta

I saw this recipe on Annie's Eats and I just had to try it for dinner. I thought of my husband when I first saw it because he really enjoys pasta. This recipe was very delicious and very hearty. My husband espcially liked it, but it was a little bit too heavy for me. Still, I will proabably make it again.



Baked Ziti Pasta

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon table salt
Pinch white pepper
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
1 lb Ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 - 2 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 (28 oz.) can tomato sauce (reserve a ½ cup)
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup whole milk
1-2 cups mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add salt and then pasta; lower heat and simmer until almost al dente. Drain pasta and set aside. Whisk eggs and parmesan together in a medium bowl; set aside.

2. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and whole milk. Set aside.

3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until softened. Add ground turkey and brown. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and oregano. Simmer about 10 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat. Once cooled, stir in basil, sugar, salt and pepper.

4. In a large pot over medium heat, whisk cornstarch and milk until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add egg/parmesan mixture. Continue to whisk until combined. Transfer the ground turkey mixture into the pot and simmer until thickened, 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the pasta and toss in the sauce.

5. Transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13” baking dish and spread remaining tomato sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

6. Remove foil and cook for another 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Cool for 15 minutes and serve.

Source: Adapted from Annie's Eats.