Four-Ish Ingredient Recipe- Baked Ziti + Homemade Garlic Bread

Hello there again friends!
How was your weekend or more importantly, how was your Mothers Day???
It was a great weekend here, my parents came up to see Anna's soccer game and ended up staying the night.
So we had dinner and a bonfire here:

Apparently it is hard to get a clear picture around a bonfire.

We look like Cheech and Chong.....

We made smores, listened to music, had some wine, laughed and enjoyed the beautiful evening.

I looked around at everyone and I wanted to hold that moment in.

I didn't want it to end.

Mothers Day here was lots of fun too, I got some quality time in with my oldest, spent all afternoon outside (and have the sunburn to prove it), went for a run with my oldest early in the morning and ended with some Housewives who may or may not have been from New Jersey.

A great day.

I wish that kind of day like that for all of you wonderful people out there.

On to the real reason we are here.......:)

I have no idea where I got this recipe.
I have made this for the past five or six years and everyone in my little family loves it.
This is great for company as you could make it ahead, refrigerate it then pop it in the oven as guests arrive.
There are four-ish ingredients in this recipe as I have tweaked it here and there but you can tweak it as well to meet your needs.

Enjoy!

1- one package of ziti pasta

2- 1 jar of spaghetti sauce ( I use Paul Newman's Marinara)

3- one package of shredded mozzarella (I use 2% and it still tasted good)

4- 1/2 package of frozen meatballs ( I use the Walmart brand and they are THE best)

4.5- OK so here is the "four-ish" part- spices are key. I use garlic powder, oregano and garlic salt as well as salt and pepper. You could also add Parmesan, red pepper flakes and real garlic too to kick up the flavor a notch.

Boil the pasta according to package directions...or be like me who never boils pasta that way and just cook til it looks done. :) Drain and set aside. Now here is where your preference comes into play.

 If you like lots and lots of sauce? Use two jars. Otherwise use one jar.

I take half the jar (if you are using one jar) and in a greased 9x13, spread it evenly on the bottom of the pan. Top the sauce with some garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Then lay the pasta on top of it.

Place frozen meatballs on top of the pasta.

Then the rest of the sauce and more spices.

Top with shredded mozzarella.

 Bake in a 350 oven for 25-30 minutes.

This is sooo good and the leftovers?

 Even better.

I serve this with a salad and bread. 

When I have company, I serve with a bagged Caesar salad and make my own garlic bread.

Here is the recipe for that:

-1 loaf of italian bread

- spray butter or stick margarine (your choice)

- oregano

-garlic powder

Cut the loaf in half lengthwise.

Either spray both sides with some spray butter or take the stick of margarine and spread onto both sides.

Add oregano and garlic to your taste.

Put in 350 oven for 15- 25 minutes.

So much better than that stuff you buy at the store and so much better for you!!