Baked Ziti with Asparagus and Broccoli

If you love Macaroni and Cheese, and who doesn’t, you’ll love this simple Baked Ziti recipe.  It is packed with Italian flavors of Italian herbs and Mozzarella Cheese.  This will be a Sunday Dinner your family will beg you to repeat often.

Ingredients

• 1 Pound – Rigatoni Pasta
• 1/2 Pound – Fresh Broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 Pound – Fresh Asparagus, trim and waste the bottom third, chop the tender tops into 2 inch pieces
• 1 Each – Medium Onion, diced
• 4 Cloves – Garlic, minced
• 1 Tablespoon – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Pound – Mozzarella Cheese, freshly grated
• 1/2 Pound –  Yellow Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated
• 2/3 Cup – Sour Cream
• 2 Teaspoons – Italian Seasoning, such as Dean & Jacobs Sicilian Blend Italian Seasoning, finely ground
• 1 Teaspoon – Salt
• 1 Teaspoon – Pepper
• 3 oz. – Fresh Parmesan Cheese, grated fine

Preparation

1. Prepare the 1 pound package of Rigatoni pasta per the package instructions.  The Rigatoni pasta has nice grooves for hosting tasty sauce and seasoning.  Cook al dente.
2. Saute the onions in the tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  As they become clear add the garlic, salt pepper and Italian seasoning.
3. Cook the asparagus and broccoli in salted boiling water for 10 minutes or until they begin to become soft.
4. Combine the onion mixture in a mixing bowl (or in the skillet) along with the asparagus, broccoli, cheddar cheese, sour cream and 1/2 of the Mozzarella cheese. [Note the young helping hands in our kitchen]
5. Place the pasta in a large 10″ x 13″ casserole pan.
6. Add the mixture of vegetables and cheese to the casserole pan until all of the pasta is coated with your creamy mixture.
7. Cover with the remaining 1/2 pound of Mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover the pan with foil and place in a the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
9. Remove the foil.  Add the Parmesan cheese and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
10. Top with some Italian parsley and serve with some additional Parmesan cheese at the table. Serves 6 to 8 adults plus a bunch of hungry kids.  Only one of the kids will pick out the onions. LK!