Best 4 Creamy Baked Ziti Recipes

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Indulge in the creamy delight of Baked Ziti, a classic Italian-American casserole that combines tender pasta, a flavorful sauce, and a gooey cheese topping. This hearty dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a comforting meal with family. Our collection of Baked Ziti recipes offers a variety of options to suit your taste preferences, from traditional to unique and creative twists. Whether you prefer a simple and classic recipe or one with a spicy kick or a vegetarian option, we have something for everyone. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this ultimate comfort food experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CREAMY BAKED ZITI



Creamy Baked Ziti image

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

4 cups ziti pasta, uncooked
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
6 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
¾ cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 (8 ounce) package KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
⅓ cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

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.

CREAMY BAKED ZITI



Creamy Baked Ziti image

Cream cheese is the secret to the silky sauce in this vegetarian baked pasta dish, while mozzarella and Parmesan create a golden bubbling crust on top.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Baked Ziti Recipes

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic (from 2 to 3 cloves)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1 pound ziti
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, shredded (about 2 cups)
1 cup grated Parmesan, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place tomatoes in a food processor and puree until smooth.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook until golden and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes. Bring to a boil over high, then reduce heat to medium and cook at a rapid simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a pot of generously salted boiling water, cook pasta 4 minutes less than according to package instructions (about 6 minutes total). Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water until cool, then drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Stir cream cheese into sauce until melted, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour 1 cup sauce into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; spread into an even layer. Scatter half of mozzarella over sauce. Add 3 cups sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan to bowl of pasta; toss to coat. Add pasta mixture to the baking dish in an even layer. Top with remaining sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Bake on a rack in the top third position until cheese is melted, 10 minutes. Switch oven to broiler setting; broil until cheese is bubbly and browned in places, about 3 minutes more. Let cool 10 minutes; serve.

CREAMY BAKED ZITI



Creamy Baked Ziti image

I won't promise you "Fast and Easy" With this one. It's a little more work than most but It's oh so worth the effort. It's called "Creamy" Due to the fact that there is a made from scratch cream sauce added instead of Ricotta Cheese. I am NOT a fan of Ricotta cheese so I think this version is a nice alternative. It's great served with a beautiful ceasar salad and a basket of sliced crusty bread. Yum!! This is truly delicious!

Provided by MTpockets

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, Chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 (12 ounce) box ziti pasta or 1 (12 ounce) box penne pasta
2 minced garlic cloves
1 (26 ounce) jar tomato and basil pasta sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoons Olive oil and onions and saute 5 minutes or until tender.
  • Add beef and brown.
  • Meanwhile, In a large pot or dutch oven, cook pasta ala dente and drain well.
  • Brown beef until it's no longer pink and drain off fat.
  • In the same skillet, add to beef and onions, 1/2 teaspoons salt, garlic, pasta sauce, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
  • Stir to blend, Then set aside.
  • In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat, add flour and whisk constantly until smooth and well blended or about 1 minute, gradually add milk and simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles and thickens.
  • Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese and remaining 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.
  • Pour beef mixture and milk mixture into dutch oven with noodles and mix until well blended.
  • Transfer entire mixture to a large, buttered, baking dish or nonstick lasagne pan, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake at 350' for 20-25 minutes or until mixture is heated through and bubbly and cheese is melted and becoming crusty.
  • ** sometimes I add 1/2 the cheese to beef mixture and then top with the other half.
  • Let stand approximately 5-10 minutes, and serve.

CREAMY BAKED ZITI RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Creamy Baked Ziti Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by á-32604

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 (16 oz.) container cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb. ziti pasta
2 Tablespoons olive oil
5 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz. mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk cottage cheese, eggs and 1 cup parmesan together in medium bowl; set aside. Prepare pasta according to package directions, cooking only until pasta begins to soften but is not yet cooked through. Drain pasta and leave in colander. Meanwhile, heat oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until garlic is fragrant but not brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. In a medium saucepan, whisk cornstarch into heavy cream. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and add cottage cheese to thickened cream. Stir cottage cheese/cream mixture into tomato mixture and mix well. Add half of the mozzarella and the pasta and stir until pasta is thoroughly coated with sauce. Transfer pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan on top. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes longer. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. (recipe from realmomkitchen.com)

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients you use, the better your baked ziti will taste. Look for fresh, flavorful cheese, high-quality pasta, and a flavorful tomato sauce.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for baked ziti. If you overcook the pasta, it will become mushy and won't hold its shape well in the casserole.
  • Use a flavorful tomato sauce: The tomato sauce is the backbone of baked ziti. Choose a sauce that is rich, flavorful, and has a good balance of acidity and sweetness.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make baked ziti. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, sauces, and add-ins to create your own unique recipe.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a baked ziti that is sure to impress your family and friends.

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