baked ziti with cheese

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 (16 ounce) box barilla® ziti
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt (optional)
• 2 cups barilla® marinara sauce
• 1 pound buffalo mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs

Recipe

• bechamel sauce: heat butter in a medium sauce pan until melted. add flour and stir until smooth. cook over medium heat until light golden brown, about 6 to 7 minutes.
• meanwhile, heat the milk in separate pan until just about to boil.
• add milk to butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth and bring to a boil. cook 30 seconds and remove from heat. season with nutmeg and 2 teaspoons salt and set aside.
• preheat the oven to 425 degrees f.
• bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 tablespoons salt (optional).
• cook ziti for 30 seconds less than the package instructions.
• add marinara sauce, bechamel sauce, mozzarella, and grated cheese to the ziti and mix well.
• divide ziti and sauce mixture among six individual gratin dishes. sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
• bake for about 20 minutes, until bubbling and crusty on top. serve immediately.