Baked Ziti

This is the best pasta recipe ever! I got this from Mel's Kitchen Cafe, like 90% of the recipes on this blog. I have to half it, because for the two of us, it makes plenty. It's always a happy day in our house when it's Bake Ziti night.

Ingredients:
1 lb Cottage Cheese
2 Large Eggs
3 oz. Grated Parmesan (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 lb Ziti or Penne (I usually do a little more than what it calls for, because I don't like it really saucy.)
2 T Olive Oil
5 Cloves finely mince Garlic
1 (28 oz.) Can Tomato Sauce
1 (14.5 oz. ) Can Diced Tomatoes
1 t Dried Oregano
1 T Dried Basil
1 t Sugar
Black Pepper
3/4 t Cornstarch
1 C Heavy Cream
8 oz. Mozzarella

Whisk cottage cheese, eggs and 1 cup paremesan together and set aside. Cook pasta. Don't let it get too soft because it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain it and keep it in the colander. You will use the pot in just a minute.

Ina skillet over medium heat, cook the garlic for about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil and oregano. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Take off heat, and salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in the cornstarch into the heavy cream in the empty pasta pot. Bring it to a simmer and cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and add cottage cheese mixture, 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture and 3/4 cup mozzarella. Add pasta and mix completely.

Transfer into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread remaining tomato sauce evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the top. Cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove foil and cook for a few more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown, about 20 more minutes.