Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our baked ziti, a delectable Italian casserole that embodies comfort and satisfaction. This classic dish features tender ziti pasta enveloped in a luscious tomato sauce, complemented by a medley of savory Italian sausage, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Experience a harmonious blend of tangy, savory, and cheesy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the culinary journey that awaits as we guide you through three irresistible variations of this beloved recipe. From a traditional rendition to a vegetarian delight and a spicy kick, each version promises a unique culinary adventure. Get ready to embark on a delicious odyssey with our baked ziti extravaganza!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BAKED ZITI
For an Italian classic, try this Baked Ziti recipe from Food Network Kitchen. Tossed in a zesty tomato sauce and oozing with mozzarella, it couldn't be easier.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and boil the pasta until al dente (tender but still slightly firm). Drain.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the quick tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan, all of the black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE
This is quite possibly the one thing that I am constantly asked to make. This is a ziti with a lot of flavor.
Provided by Ashley
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the ziti, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, and cook and stir until brown, about 10 minutes. Drain sausage and set aside.
- Stir together the ricotta, egg, onion, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in the drained pasta, the drained sausage, salt, pepper, and 1/2 jar of the spaghetti sauce; mix well.
- In the prepared baking dish, cover the bottom with 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce. Layer 1/2 of the pasta mixture, 1/3 jar of spaghetti sauce, and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Then layer the remaining 1/2 of the pasta, 1/3 of the sauce, and 1/2 of the cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Uncover; return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, 5 to 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 649.4 calories, Carbohydrate 68.9 g, Cholesterol 85.5 mg, Fat 27.4 g, Fiber 5.9 g, Protein 30.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 1485.1 mg, Sugar 14.9 g
CREAMY BAKED ZITI
Ziti pasta bakes with layers of creamy tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese in an easy and comforting dish that's ready in less than an hour.
Provided by Kraft
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Remove from pan; drain. Meanwhile, add marinara sauce, tomatoes and cream cheese to same pan; cook on medium heat 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Return pasta to pan; mix well.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella and remaining pasta mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake 20 min. or until heated through.
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.
BAKED ZITI WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES
Offer this simple, hearty dish with a green salad, crusty garlic bread and a light red wine, like Beaujolais.
Provided by Carmela M. Meely
Categories Pasta Tomato Bake Mozzarella Sausage Spinach Bon Appétit California
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes.
CHEESY BAKED PASTA WITH SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA
Like a cross between baked ziti and sausage lasagna, this mozzarella-topped pasta is rich with ricotta and crushed tomatoes - and cooks entirely in one pan, including the pasta. The Italian sausage adds meaty depth to the sauce, but vegetarians can leave it out or use their favorite plant-based sausage instead.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories easy, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Crumble sausage into skillet, using a spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until starting to brown, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, fennel seeds and red-pepper flakes (if using), and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in whole tomatoes and their juice, using a spoon to break them up. Add crushed tomatoes, bay leaves and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in pasta and 1 cup water and return to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat, pluck out the bay leaves, and fold in about a third of the mozzarella.
- Top pasta with remaining mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Sprinkle with Parmesan, then transfer to oven. Bake until pasta is tender when poked with a fork, and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. (If you'd like a more deeply browned topping, run the pan under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes.) Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Top with basil, plenty of black pepper, and more red-pepper flakes, if you like.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh mozzarella, flavorful sausage, and a rich tomato sauce will make all the difference.
- Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta will hold its shape and texture in the baked ziti.
- Be generous with the cheese. Mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta cheeses all add richness and flavor to the dish.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. You can add vegetables, herbs, or different types of meat to the baked ziti.
- Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to set.
Conclusion:
Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make, delicious, and can be customized to your liking. Whether you're serving it to your family or friends, baked ziti is sure to be a hit.
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