“Feeding people makes me happy. It’s just about as plain and simple as that.”
-Stacey Little
I invited a super-talented (local) fella over to guest post today, and I’m so excited for you to e-meet him if you haven’t already! His name is Stacey Little and his first cook book The Southern Bite Cookbook came out last year:
He’s got a second cookbook in the works right now, and I just couldn’t be happier for him. What an inspiration! Today, he’s going to share a brand new Baked Ziti recipe he put together, just for us. Take it away, Stacey!
Hello Lettered Cottage readers! I’m Stacey Little, and it’s so nice to meet you here today!
It seems with every generation, families get busier and busier. While we’re busy running errands and carting kids to baseball practice, dance recitals, and piano lessons, one of the things that often gets overlooked is dinner. Sure, it’s easy enough to run through a drive-thru, but not slowing down for a home-cooked meal with our family gathered around it also means we’re missing out on an opportunity to connect. As we go out in the world each day, we each come home a little different based on the things that happen, the people we meet, the experiences we have, and the things we learn. Gathering for a meal, gives us the chance to share and learn about who or what inspired each of us while we were out and about. And creating a wholesome meal doesn’t have to be time-consuming or require a bunch of expensive or exotic ingredients. Often times, it’s the simple meals (like today’s Baked Ziti) that become our family’s favorites!
Southern Bite Baked Ziti:
1 (1-pound) box ziti pasta
1 pound bulk ground Italian sausage
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (24-ounce) jars (or cans) spaghetti sauce
1 cup sour cream
1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions and drain.
Meanwhile, brown the sausage with the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain away any excess grease and return it to the heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant. Stir in the jars of spaghetti sauce and sour cream. Add the meat sauce to the cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with the mozzarella cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Y’all enjoy!
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Mmmmmmm! Thank you so much for guest posting, Stacey! Kevin and I will be trying out this recipe TONIGHT! 😀
You can find Stacey’s fun website/blog at SouthernBite.com or by clicking on the banner below:
You can also find him on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter!
Here’s the printable version of Stacey’s Baked Ziti recipe, too:
Ingredients
- 1 (1-pound) box ziti pasta
- 1 pound bulk ground Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (24-ounce) jars (or cans) spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions and drain.
- Meanwhile, brown the sausage with the onions in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain away any excess grease and return it to the heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant. Stir in the jars of spaghetti sauce and sour cream. Add the meat sauce to the cooked and drained pasta and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and top with the mozzarella cheese. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
What exactly do you mean by spaghetti sauce? In am in the UK, so not sure. Is it plain tomato sauce without flavourings like pomodoro sauce”
Cathy,
No, it is not plain tomato sauce. It is flavored sauce usually with olive oil, garlic, onions, tomatoes, sometimes basil or other flavors. It is easy to make too. You can find some easy recipes online.
My family loves baked ziti, I make mine cheesier, using ricotta cheese instead of sour cream. I’ve never added meat though, I’ll have to try that. This recipe sounds good!
Hello there!!! Jarred spaghetti sauce it pretty close to a jarred marinara. If you can find that, it will work perfectly! You’re also welcome to use fresh sauce if you have it.
I never thought of using sour cream, wondered why mine was dry
I follow Southern Bites, and love his recipes! Thanks to Stacey!
Lots of people use ricotta cheese, but I’m not a big fan of the gritty texture, so I started using sour cream and really like it this way. 🙂
Hi Stacey!
I am a “Little”, too. Are you a Georgia “Little” or an Arkansas “Little”?
Your cookbook reminds me so much of my mother-in-law (Arkansas Little’s). She would make a similar baked ziti meal called Mozette.
I appreciate your philosophy of family connections through sit down meals and wish you continued success in the future with your next cookbook.
Thank you, Layla, for your guest post today.
Thanks so much, Karla! My father’s family is military so we’re Littles from all over the place. 🙂
This looks so great! My family will love it!!
~Julia
Thanks, Julia! Y’all enjoy!
I volunteer to cook for the Dismas House (a transitioning home for former convicts) once a month for years now and I’m always looking for casseroles to make for the guys there. I will use this one next month. Thank you!
I sure hope that it’s easy for you and everyone enjoys it!
Sounds good and I like the addition of the sour cream for a smooth texture rather than ricotta. Dishes like these are perfect for inviting people over to share : )
WOW!!!!!!!!! Made this last night for my husband and two kids. Total crowd pleaser! Absolutely delicious. The sour cream takes this over the top! My husband said it was the best meal he’s had in a long time. I have to agree;). Thank you, Stacey!!