Best 2 Baked Ziti With Vodka Sauce Recipes

Baked ziti with vodka sauce is a classic Italian-American dish that combines the richness of a creamy tomato sauce with the tender texture of pasta. This hearty and flavorful casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd, and it's also easy to make ahead of time.

The key to a great baked ziti is the vodka sauce. This sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, vodka, cream, and spices. The vodka adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce, while the cream makes it smooth and velvety. The sauce is then tossed with cooked ziti pasta, shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. The casserole is then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

In addition to the classic baked ziti recipe, the article also includes several variations. For example, you can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or vegetables to the sauce. You can also use different types of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni. And, if you're looking for a lighter version of the dish, you can use low-fat milk or cream in the sauce.

No matter how you choose to make it, baked ziti with vodka sauce is a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to please everyone at your table.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED ZITI WITH VODKA SAUCE

Baked Ziti with Vodka Sauce image

Tired of every day mac and cheese? Try this easy recipe the family will love!

Provided by leese

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (28 ounce) jar vodka marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese
2 ½ cups milk
6 large eggs
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a large baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 11 minutes.
While the ziti is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion to the hot skillet and cook until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, oregano, and garlic powder; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain and discard grease. Stir in marinara sauce.
Drain ziti and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over top, then layer with cottage cheese, meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella. Beat milk, eggs, salt, and pepper together in a bowl, and pour over top.
Bake in the preheated oven until set and bubbly, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 780.9 calories, Carbohydrate 64.8 g, Cholesterol 241.7 mg, Fat 34.3 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 49.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.3 g, Sodium 1038.1 mg, Sugar 15.3 g

PASTA BAKE WITH VODKA SAUCE

Pasta Bake With Vodka Sauce image

This is a simple, quick and relatively healthy pasta recipe (especially if you use whole wheat pasta and low fat cheese). I recommend using shorter pastas like penne, ziti, farfalle, macaroni or rotini. If you want to use spaghetti or linguine, break the noodles into thirds or quarters. You can also use any kind of sauce. I prefer vodka tomato sauce, but I've also used garlic basil, and it tasted great. I also stick the dish under the broiler for a minute or two after it's done baking to make the cheese brown and crispy.

Provided by Mitsein

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 cups dry pasta
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup fresh tomato, diced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, divided
1 cup vodka sauce
1 1/2 cups lowfat mozzarella cheese, divided

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Boil pasta in hot water until just underdone (two minutes or so less than the instructions on the box).
While the pasta is cooking, heat oil and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add peppers and mushrooms to the saucepan and sautee until just tender (about 5-7 minutes).
Drain pasta.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix sautéed vegetables, fresh tomatoes, 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
Add vodka tomato sauce and 1 cup of the low fat Mozzarella cheese and mix well.
Pour the mixture into a baking dish. I use a 9" X 5" bread pan.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese and the remaining Tablespoon of Parsley over the top of the pasta.
Bake at 375 degrees for ten minutes or until the cheese on top is brown and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 397.9, Fat 5, SaturatedFat 0.8, Sodium 12.3, Carbohydrate 74.2, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 5, Protein 13.6

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Use the best quality vodka you can afford, and make sure your tomatoes are ripe and juicy.
Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the goal. Cook it according to the package directions, but keep an eye on it so that it doesn't get mushy.
Make sure the vodka sauce is thick enough: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the pasta, but not so thick that it's gloppy. If it's too thin, simmer it for a few minutes longer. If it's too thick, add a little water or milk.
Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many ways to customize this dish to your liking. Try adding different vegetables, herbs, or spices. You could also use a different type of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti with vodka sauce is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its rich, flavorful sauce and cheesy, bubbly topping, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table.