CLASSIC BAKED ZITI

• porciones: Serves 6 to 8

Ingredientes

1 pound ziti, penne, or other thick tubular pasta

Double recipe Perfect Easy Red Sauce

12 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese (homemade, see page 154) or high-quality store-bought

3 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (about 1½ cups)

2 large eggs, beaten

1 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, cut into rough ¼-inch cubes

Instrucciones

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F Place the ziti in a large bowl and cover with hot salted water by 3 or 4 inches. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, stirring it after the first 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Drain.

2. Pour half of the marinara into a large pot, add the ricotta, half of the Par-migiano, the eggs, the cream, and half of the parsley and basil, and stirto combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the soaked ziti, along with half of the cheese cubes and stir until well combined. Transfer to a 13- by 9-inch baking dish and top with the remaining marinara sauce and mozzarella.

3. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the cheese is beginning to brown, about 15 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining Parmi-giano, then let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and basil and serve.