Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that is perfect for a comforting family meal. It is made with ziti pasta, a hearty tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. This recipe uses fire-roasted tomatoes to give the sauce a smoky, flavorful taste. The dish is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
This article includes two variations of the baked ziti recipe: a classic version and a vegetarian version. The classic version includes ground beef and Italian sausage, while the vegetarian version uses roasted vegetables instead of meat. Both versions of the recipe are delicious and easy to make.
In addition to the two main recipes, the article also includes a recipe for homemade ricotta cheese. Ricotta cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that is often used in Italian dishes. It is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.
Whether you are looking for a classic Italian-American dish or a vegetarian option, this article has a baked ziti recipe for you. With its smoky tomato sauce and melted cheese, baked ziti is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
FIRE-ROASTED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE
We punch up our pasta with smoked sausage and fire-roasted tomato sauce. It's an easy recipe to switch up-use whatever noodles and spaghetti sauce are in your pantry. -Jean Komlos, Plymouth, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook ziti according to package directions for al dente. Drain; return to pot., Add tomatoes, pasta sauce and sausage to ziti; heat through over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Cook, covered, 2-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 463 calories, Fat 23g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 1634mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.
BAKED ZITI WITH FIRE ROASTED TOMATOES
This is a recipe from Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes, but I know Hunt's has a fire roasted diced tomato product out too. My DH loves this--he requests it about once a month!
Provided by FloridaGrl
Categories Meat
Time 40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375.
- Spray 2 quart rectangular glass baking dish.
- In a 10 inch non stick skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring frequently,until cooked. Add zucchini, cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling.
- Toss with pasta. Spread in dish. Cover with foil; bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake uncovered, about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 241.8, Fat 2.9, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 23.4, Sodium 505.8, Carbohydrate 39.2, Fiber 4.2, Sugar 7.8, Protein 15.4
BAKED ZITI WITH FIRE ROASTED TOMATOES
Steps:
- 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on box. 2. Meanwhile, spray 2-quart rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked. Add zucchini; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling. Add drained pasta; toss to coat. Spread in baking dish; cover with foil. 3. Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered about 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted
BAKED ZITI WITH FRESH TOMATOES
I prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, so it saves precious moments when we come in after working out in the fields! -Barbara Johnson, Decker, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally., Cook ziti according to package directions; drain. Place in a large bowl. Stir in sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese. , Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 375 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 851mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 29g protein.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your baked ziti.
- Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a variety of cheeses. This will give your baked ziti a more complex flavor.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different toppings. You can use anything from breadcrumbs to grated Parmesan cheese.
- Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With so many different variations available, there's sure to be a baked ziti recipe that everyone will love.
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