Indulge in a culinary journey with Barefoot Contessa's Baked Ziti, a delectable Italian-American casserole that combines the comforting flavors of pasta, cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. This classic dish is elevated by Ina Garten's expertise, resulting in a hearty and flavorful casserole perfect for gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. Discover the secrets behind this beloved recipe, along with variations and additional dishes to complement your meal, all curated by the Barefoot Contessa herself. From the essential ingredients to the step-by-step instructions, this comprehensive guide will turn you into a master of this timeless dish. Embark on this culinary adventure and experience the magic of Barefoot Contessa's Baked Ziti.
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BAKED ZITI
This easy baked pasta dish is the perfect comfort food for any night of the week - and it's super kid-friendly. The sauce doesn't have to simmer for hours on the stovetop, thanks to all the flavor from the onion, garlic and the combination of both fresh and dried herbs. Hang onto some of the pasta water - an Italian grandmother secret - in case you need to thin the sauce out. The hot starchy water can loosen a pasta sauce without making it too watery - plus it is already seasoned. Pulling the pasta from the pot before it's completely cooked helps prevent it from becoming overcooked and mushy in the oven.
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat canola oil in a saute pan over medium heat and add onion and garlic. Saute until the onions become translucent. Add tomatoes, parsley, basil, and Italian seasoning. Cover and let simmer about 25 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bring a pot of water to boiling for the pasta. Add salt and pasta and boil until pasta is al dente - about 10 minutes.
- Drain pasta well stir into pot of sauce. Transfer to a baking dish and top with cheeses. Bake until cheese is melted.
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
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.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Use the best quality pasta, cheese, and sauce that you can find.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold its shape well in the casserole.
- Use a good quality tomato sauce: A good quality tomato sauce is essential for this dish. You can use your own homemade sauce or a store-bought sauce. If you're using a store-bought sauce, be sure to choose one that is flavorful and has a good consistency.
- Layer the casserole properly: When assembling the casserole, be sure to layer the ingredients in the correct order. Start with a layer of pasta, then add a layer of sauce, then a layer of cheese. Repeat this process until you have used all of the ingredients.
- Bake the casserole until it is bubbly and golden brown: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven until it is bubbly and golden brown. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
Conclusion:
Barefoot Contessa Baked Ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make casserole that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and it can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your pasta cheesy, saucy, or meaty, this recipe has you covered. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner, give Barefoot Contessa Baked Ziti a try. You won't be disappointed!
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