Baked Penne Pasta

These is a recipe that I created by combining 2 recipes. The result is fabulous! This is my kids' favorite meal. I serve it with green salad and bread sticks or garlic bread.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 12-16
• Yields: 1 9x13 casserole

Ingredients

• 16  ounces  penne rigate (also called mostaccioli)
• 2  eggs
• 15  ounces ricotta cheese or 15  ounces cottage cheese
• 3⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1  tablespoon dried parsley
• 48  ounces  marinara sauce (I use Barilla sauce)
• 3  cups mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with no-stick spray.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions (do not overcook). Drain.
3. Beat eggs in a small bowl. Stir in ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and parsley.
4. To assemble casserole:
5. Layer 1: Spread 2 cups marinara sauce to cover the bottom of the pan.
6. Layer 2: place 1/2 of the pasta over the sauce.
7. Layer 3: Spoon 1/2 the cheese mixture over the pasta by tablespoonfuls and spead to distribute evenly over the pasta.
8. Layer 4: sprinkle evenly with 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
9. Repeat above layers.
10. To finish, spread the last 2 cups of marinara sauce over casserole and top with last 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
11. Cover with foil and bake 60-70 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
12. Uncover, bake 5 minutes more until cheese is melted.