Baked Pasta (Ziti Al Forno)

Nothing says celebration to a southern Italian family more than baked pasta, and why not? It can feed a multitude and frees the cook up to enjoy her guests! Every celebration we had growing up: baby christening, first communion, confirmation, showers, holidays...had some kind of baked pasta dish. This recipe is a Neapolitan style baked pasta and is also known as Ziti Alforno or ziti cooked in the oven. My actual family recipe has no actual amounts because there really is no set amount for each ingredient as you just add as much as you like so if you are a sauce family more sauce is added etc....My only real tip for this is to make sure and add enough sauce or else you have a dry casserole.

Ingredients
6 cups cups of Marinara Sauce (make a big pot the day ahead and save half for this recipe)

 8 ounces  Mozzarella

 Basil leaves  cut in to pieces *Italian housewife trick: Don't wash them off but rub with a dry towel, this keeps them nice and green.
1 pound Pasta: ziti, rigatoni, penne...Something with holes to hold the sauce and whistle a tune!
3/4 cup Grated Cheese: Pecorino OR Parmesan Or a combo of the two

12 ounces whole milk ricotta (1 1/2 cups)

OPTIONAL:2 hardboiled eggs peeled and sliced, My Zia Adele used these which is typically Neapolitan 
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs Plain for topping.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Equipment: 1 large lasagna or casserole dish. If I am making this for a crowd I buy the big aluminum ones from the dollar store and throw them away when finished.
Directions
Set oven to 500.
Boil the pasta until al dente (slightly undercooked) and drain reserving a 1/2 cup of pasta water.. Add the sauce and pasta water to the pasta and stir to coat.
Spread some sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Mix everything in a bowl except the eggs (if using) Reserve a little cheese and bread crumbs for topping.

Now  finish off with a dusting of bread crumbs and reserved cheeses and drizzles of olive oil all over.

You only bake this for 10-12 minutes because it is such a high heat. Remove and allow to cool off a bit, at least 10 minutes before cutting into it.
OR you can cover and place in your fridge for over night and cook just before serving since it is so quick to cook, only 10-12 minutes. But bring back to room temp before baking or else the inside will still be cool.
Buon Appetito!