Indulge in a culinary journey with Giada's delectable Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic Italian dish, elevated by Giada's culinary expertise, combines tender ziti pasta, nestled in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, and succulent meatballs, all enveloped in a blanket of melted cheese. Each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, leaving you craving for more. Along with the main recipe, discover variations that cater to different preferences: a vegetarian version with hearty Beyond Meatballs for a meatless indulgence, a spicy rendition infused with Calabrian chili paste for those who love a kick, and a hassle-free slow-cooker adaptation for effortless preparation.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GIADA'S BAKED ZITI WITH MEATBALLS
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis Show: Food Network Specials Episode: An Italian Christmas With Mario and Giada
Provided by Phil Franco
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, eggs, milk, 1/2 cup of the Romano and the parsley, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Add beef and gently combine, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape into bite-size meatballs. Roll each meatball in flour to coat, shaking off excess.
- In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta in a colander and set aside. If not using immediately, cover top with plastic wrap so that pasta does not dry out. Do not rinse pasta with water since you want to retain the pasta's natural starches so that the sauce will cling to the ziti.
- In a large skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat. When almost smoking, add meatballs in batches and without moving or turning the meat, allow it to brown for about 3 minutes. Turn meatballs and brown other side. Continue to cook until all sides are golden brown. Remove meatballs to a plate.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce and ricotta and mix well. Add the cooked ziti and meatballs and toss gently.
- In a large greased baking dish, pour in pasta mixture. Sprinkle the mozzarella, Parmesan, and remaining Romano all over the top. Dot with the butter. Place baking dish on top of baking sheet covered with aluminum foil to collect any drippings from the dish. Bake until top is golden brown and bubbly, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1813.9, Fat 104.9, SaturatedFat 53, Cholesterol 423.3, Sodium 2985.7, Carbohydrate 122.2, Fiber 8.7, Sugar 17.2, Protein 96.1
BAKED LEMON ZITI
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- For the pasta: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until brown and crispy, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and drain on paper towels.
- For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add the lemon zest. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cheese sauce, cooked pancetta, pasta, basil and thyme. Toss until the ingredients are coated. Stir in the lemon juice. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella.
- For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
- Sprinkle the topping over the pasta mixture. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake until the top is golden brown, 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve.
BAKED ZITI WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND SPINACH
Baked ziti is meant to feed a crowd, and this one surely does. "Cheater" meatballs made with uncased Italian sausage are strewn throughout the sauce for heft, and baby spinach lends a pop of color. Because ricotta has a tendency to dry out when baked, crème fraîche is added to ensure a more velvety texture, but sour cream thinned out with a little heavy cream works just as well. The whole dish can be assembled and baked ahead the day before. Bring it to room temperature before warming, then broil right before serving for crisp edges.
Provided by Colu Henry
Categories dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Using your hands, shape the sausage into about 35 (1-inch) meatballs.
- In a deep 12-inch skillet or a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Working in two batches, fry the meatballs until golden all over, about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet pan or platter. Cook the onion until softened, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet, gently crushing them. Stir in the meatballs, bring to a simmer and cook, 20 minutes. Gently fold in the spinach, tossing until it wilts. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until 2 to 3 minutes short of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain pasta.
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, crème fraîche and half the pecorino. Season with salt and pepper. Stir half the meatball sauce into the ricotta mixture. Add pasta and toss together to coat. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that's at least 2 1/2 inches deep. Top with the remaining meatball sauce, the mozzarella and the remaining pecorino. Place uncovered baking dish on a sheet tray and bake until the cheese is melty and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Turn heat to broil and cook until the cheese and pasta brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. (Don't walk away; the cheese can burn very quickly!) Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 567, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 906 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your baked ziti. Look for high-quality ground beef, Italian sausage, and cheese.
- Season your meatballs well: Don't be afraid to add plenty of herbs and spices to your meatballs. This will help them to develop a delicious, complex flavor.
- Cook your meatballs thoroughly: Make sure that your meatballs are cooked all the way through before adding them to the ziti. This will help to prevent them from becoming dry and tough.
- Use a good quality pasta sauce: A good quality pasta sauce will make a big difference in the overall flavor of your baked ziti. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and herbs.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and unpleasant.
- Layer your ziti carefully: When assembling your baked ziti, be sure to layer the ingredients carefully. Start with a layer of pasta, then add a layer of meatballs, followed by a layer of sauce. Repeat this process until you have used up all of the ingredients.
- Top with cheese: Before baking your ziti, top it with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. This will help to brown the ziti and give it a delicious, cheesy flavor.
Conclusion:
Giada's baked ziti with meatballs is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make the best baked ziti that will wow your family and friends.
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