BAKED ZITI PLUS

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Baked Ziti Plus image

Standard baked ziti with sausage, peppers, and onions added to the sauce. There may be more pasta and sauce that cannot fit into the pans. That's ok, it tastes delicious without baking as well!

Provided by Mike Connors

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 4h15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
2 pounds ground beef
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 pounds Italian link sausage
2 green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 large onion, sliced
2 (16 ounce) packages rigatoni
2 (16 ounce) packages mozzarella cheese
1 (24 ounce) carton ricotta cheese

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium-low heat; cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Stir ground beef into garlic. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato puree to ground beef mixture; season with salt and pepper. Cover stockpot and simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until flavors have blended, about 2 hours.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage links in the hot skillet until browned and not longer pink in the center, 10 to 15 minutes; drain and discard grease. Slice sausages into 1/4-inch rounds. Stir sausage, green bell pepper, and onion into the simmering tomato sauce; cook, stirring occasionally until bell pepper and onion are softened, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and return rigatoni to pot.
  • Dice about 3/4 the mozzarella into 1/8-inch cubes. Mix cubed mozzarella with ricotta cheese in a bowl. Stir cheese mixture into cooked rigatoni until mozzarella cheese begins to melt. Pour rigatoni-cheese mixture into 2 large casserole dishes; add tomato-meat sauce. Toss well.
  • Slice the remaining mozzarella cheese and arrange on top of rigatoni mixtures.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until mozzarella cheese is melted and browned, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 782.5 calories, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 117.8 mg, Fat 40.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 48.5 g, SaturatedFat 17.5 g, Sodium 1485 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

Simon Shivolo
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Overall, this Baked Ziti recipe deserves a 5-star rating! It's a delicious, easy-to-make, and budget-friendly meal that everyone will love.


Martins Abraham
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I love that this recipe includes step-by-step instructions with photos. It made the cooking process so much easier and more enjoyable.


Anas Abdulrahman
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I'm new to Italian cooking, and this recipe was a great starting point. It helped me gain confidence in cooking Italian dishes.


Manny Ortega
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This recipe brought back childhood memories. My mom used to make Baked Ziti, and this version is just as good, if not better. Thank you for sharing this recipe!


Fokul islam Sonai
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I'm impressed with how quickly this dish came together. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have much time to cook.


Selina Latif
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I'm not a huge fan of ricotta cheese, so I replaced it with cottage cheese, and it turned out great! This recipe is very versatile, which I appreciate.


Suma Shaha
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This Baked Ziti is a budget-friendly dish that doesn't compromise on taste. It's a great option for families on a tight budget.


Momina Jan
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I made this recipe for a potluck, and it was a huge success! Everyone raved about it and asked for the recipe. Thanks for sharing!


Roniel Sibbles
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I'm gluten-free, so I substituted gluten-free pasta, and it came out just as delicious! This recipe is a lifesaver for those with dietary restrictions.


Angela Khoza
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I love that this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients. It shows that you don't need fancy ingredients to make a delicious and satisfying meal.


Ziko Mighty
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This recipe is a keeper! I've tried many Baked Ziti recipes, but this one is by far the best. It's a perfect blend of flavors and textures.


Shykh Zainab
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I made this recipe for my Italian grandmother, and she gave it her seal of approval! She said it reminded her of the Baked Ziti she used to make back in Italy.


boulila anis
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This Baked Ziti is pure comfort food. It's warm, cheesy, and fills the house with an inviting aroma. A must-try for pasta lovers!


Alina CH
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Wow, just wow. This recipe is a masterpiece. The flavors, textures, and aromas come together perfectly. I'll definitely be making this again!


Ahmed Elgendy
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I'm a novice cook, and this recipe was easy to follow. The result was a delicious Baked Ziti that my family loved. Thank you for sharing!


Faisal Sajjad
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This Baked Ziti recipe is a game-changer! It's a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for any occasion. The creamy sauce, tender pasta, and melted cheese are simply irresistible.


Rehan Abdullah
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Baked Ziti - a true Italian classic! This recipe is simple yet incredibly flavorful. The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses is heavenly. I highly recommend it!


Jorpa Didyoujustcallmeachickenbutt
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I've made this recipe several times now, and I absolutely love it! It's so easy to make and always comes out delicious. I've also tried different variations, like adding spinach or mushrooms, and they've all been great.


akter shimla
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Baked Ziti was an absolute hit! The flavors melded so well together, and the texture was perfect - crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. My family and friends loved it!