Three Cheese Pasta Bake

 

Or, I could call this post "Operation Empty Nest - day 1".

Really, either title is appropriate.

You see, I'm on my own for the next week. I don't even remember the last time I spent a week all alone, just me, and the fur-babies! But this week - here I sit! My kiddo, is on his FIRST grown up vacation, without mom, or dad. But he IS going to visit family, so I guess that counts!

At any rate, I'm going to enjoy this week alot. Oh sure I'll miss him, but I've never lived in a house by myself before. And that by golly is pretty enticing lemme tell you. I can try recipes he won't eat! If nothing else, that makes it all even more exciting!

So tonight, I've tried a new recipe I found on Pinterest. It's kind of a Lasagna, meets Mac & Cheese, meets Alfredo. (I might regret all this cheese actually...but we won't go there!)

Three Cheese Pasta Bake

Layering the noodles and cheese in the pan

I halfed the recipe because well, it's just me and as much as I love Lasagna, mac & cheese, and Alfredo, I do not need 6-8 servings of it to eat over the course of the next week.

That would be really bad.


Ingredients
8 oz tube pasta (rigatoni or penne or ziti)
10 oz Alfredo or parmesan sauce
4oz sour cream
1 lg egg, slightly beaten
Handful Parmesan Cheese
Handful Chopped Parsley or Italian seasonings
3/4 Cup Shredded Mozzerella Cheese

1. Prepare ziti according to package directions; drain and return to pot.
2. Stir together Alfredo sauce and sour cream; toss with ziti until evenly coated. Spoon half of mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
3. Stir together ricotta cheese and next 3 ingredients; spread evenly over pasta mixture in baking dish. Spoon remaining pasta mixture evenly over ricotta cheese layer; sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
   
   Original Recipe submitted by Amy Faggart, Concord, North Carolina, Southern Living
   MARCH 2005
   Now for the pictures! Enjoy!

{im} patiently waiting for it to bake

Finally Ready - man does it smell GOOD!

Oh my gosh would you look at that ooeeey goodness!

 This recipe might just be a keeper - as evidenced by the lack of it left on my plate, and the incredible urge to go get 2nds. Don't worry I will eat the tomato too - I promise!