Best 3 Baked Ziti Main Dish Recipes
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American casserole dish made with ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce. It's a hearty and comforting meal that's perfect for any occasion. This article provides three delicious baked ziti recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table.
The first recipe is a classic baked ziti recipe that uses a combination of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. The second recipe is a vegetarian baked ziti recipe that uses a variety of vegetables in place of meat. The third recipe is a spicy baked ziti recipe that adds a kick of heat with the use of crushed red pepper flakes.
No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make dish. So gather your ingredients and preheat your oven, because it's time to make some baked ziti!
BAKED ZITI I
A lady I worked with brought this in one day, and it was a hit. Now it is the favorite of all my dinner guests. It's great for a covered dish dinner too. I have made this also without the meat, and it is well received.
Provided by Colleen B. Smith
Categories Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
- In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.2 calories, Carbohydrate 58.4 g, Cholesterol 71.3 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 27.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.7 g, Sodium 913.6 mg, Sugar 14.3 g
BAKED ZITI
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h35m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
- Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.
BAKED ZITI MAIN DISH
This delicious pasta dish reminds me of a cross between spaghetti and cheese pizza. I appreciate this quick-to-make meal on busy weeknights.-Christopher Gordon, Springfield, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 55m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Place ziti in an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish. Cover with sauce. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with both cheeses. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 248 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 458mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, ripe tomatoes, flavorful cheese, and a good quality pasta will make a big difference in the final dish.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for baked ziti. If you overcook it, it will become mushy and the dish will be less enjoyable.
- Use a large baking dish so that the ziti has room to spread out and cook evenly. A 9x13 inch baking dish is a good size.
- Be generous with the cheese. Cheese is what makes baked ziti so delicious, so don't be afraid to use plenty of it. A combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses works well.
- Bake the ziti until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will take about 30 minutes in a preheated oven.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its rich, cheesy flavor and hearty texture, it is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a satisfying and comforting meal, give baked ziti a try. You won't be disappointed!
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