Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with Three Cheese Ziti with Ricotta, Asparagus, and Cherry Tomatoes. This delectable dish combines the rich creaminess of three cheeses – Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta – with the vibrant flavors of fresh asparagus, sweet cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. The ziti pasta, perfectly cooked al dente, serves as a hearty foundation for this flavorful masterpiece. Each bite offers a delightful balance of textures, from the tender pasta to the crisp asparagus and juicy tomatoes. The creamy cheese sauce envelops every ingredient, creating a harmonious union of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
**Additional Recipes Included:**
1. **Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta:** This light and refreshing pasta dish features tender asparagus tossed in a creamy lemon sauce, creating a vibrant and flavorful meal.
2. **Roasted Asparagus with Cherry Tomatoes and Feta:** Experience the simplicity yet deliciousness of roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes tossed with tangy feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
3. **Ziti alla Norma:** Embark on a culinary journey to Sicily with this classic pasta dish featuring ziti pasta, eggplant, tomatoes, and ricotta salata cheese, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.
4. **Cherry Tomato and Basil Pasta:** Delight in the simplicity of fresh cherry tomatoes and aromatic basil tossed with pasta, creating a light and flavorful dish that captures the essence of summer.
5. **Zucchini and Ricotta Stuffed Shells:** Dive into the delightful world of stuffed pasta with tender zucchini and creamy ricotta cheese filling, topped with a rich tomato sauce.
OVEN-BAKED ZITI WITH THREE CHEESES
Provided by Marie T. Mora
Categories Cheese Pasta Tomato Bake Vegetarian Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Fall Bon Appétit New Mexico Small Plates
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and fennel seeds and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, water, oregano and sage. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Butter 9x13-inch glass baking dish. In medium bowl combine ricotta cheese and egg. Reserve 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese for topping. Add remaining mozzarella to ricotta cheese mixture and blend. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread 1/4 of tomato sauce over bottom of prepared dish. Layer 1/3 of pasta over. Drop half of ricotta cheese mixture over by spoonfuls. Spread 1/4 of sauce over. Repeat layering with another 1/3 of pasta, remaining cheese mixture, 1/4 of sauce and remaining pasta. Spread remaining sauce over and sprinkle with reserved mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
- Cover casserole and bake until heated through, about 40 minutes.
BAKED ZITI WITH CHEESE
This pasta dish, made with Alfredo sauce, is deliciously different from typical tomato-based recipes. Extra cheesy, it goes together quickly and is always popular at potlucks. -Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 50m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook ziti according to package directions; drain and return to the pan. Stir in Alfredo sauce and sour cream. Spoon half into a lightly greased 3-qt. baking dish., In a small bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese and parsley; spread over pasta. Top with remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. , Cover and bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 667 calories, Fat 39g fat (20g saturated fat), Cholesterol 145mg cholesterol, Sodium 1037mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 29g protein.
ZITI WITH RICOTTA
Provided by Roy Finamore
Categories Cheese Pasta Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Goat Cheese Ricotta Small Plates
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and pour in the pasta. Stir. Set your serving bowl on top of the pot to warm it.
- While the pasta cooks, whip the ricotta and goat cheese together with a fork.
- Once the pasta is cooked al dente, ladle out about a cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Stir in the butter and the cheeses and season with pepper. Stir in enough of the pasta water - a little at a time - to make a smooth sauce.
- Scrape the pasta into the serving bowl and serve immediately. Pass the grated cheese at the table.
- Variation
- Wash about 1/2 pound of greens, something like dandelion or curly endive or Swiss chard, and cut into ribbons. Sauté the greens in a combination of olive oil and butter, about 1 tablespoon of each, until tender. Season with salt and pepper, and a pinch of crushed red pepper if you'd like, and add to the pasta when you add the cheeses.
- Easier still is to tear 1/2 pound of arugula or dandelion greens into small pieces and boil them along with the pasta.
THREE-CHEESE BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE
This version of baked ziti omits the usual ricotta cheese (or its substitutes) and adds Italian sausage, with very satisfying results!
Provided by Doug in Manhattan
Time 1h25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 4-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses in a bowl and place in the refrigerator.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- At the same time, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and break up into morsels. Sprinkle baking soda onto sausage, then add onion and garlic. Cook and stir, continuing to break up any clumps as it cooks, until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off and discard any grease.
- Add pasta sauce, olives, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, anchovy paste, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add up to 3 tablespoons more oil if desired, and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ziti.
- Spread 1/2 of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese mixture evenly on top. Spoon or ladle the rest of the ziti evenly on top without disturbing the layers underneath; it's okay to have some ziti partially exposed as they will brown handsomely and deliciously as they bake. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese mixture on top and sprinkle Parmesan across the surface.
- Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.3 calories, Carbohydrate 47.3 g, Cholesterol 44 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 1144.9 mg, Sugar 11.3 g
3 CHEESE BAKED ZITI
Make and share this 3 Cheese Baked Ziti recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Ceezie
Categories Healthy
Time 40m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs and parmesan cheese; set aside.
- In another bowl, throughly combine hot pasta and pasta sauce.
- In a 13x9 inch baking dish, spoon in 1/2 of the pasta mixture; evenly top with cheese mixture then remaining pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve, if desired with additional heated pasta sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.5, Fat 12.9, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 84.2, Sodium 703.6, Carbohydrate 57.2, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 10.3, Protein 21.7
BAKED ZITI
This baked ziti is layered almost like a lasagna to ensure every bite has enough creamy ricotta, stringy mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce. But the key to its success comes from undercooking the pasta during the initial boil so it stays perfectly al dente, even after a trip to the oven. Heavy cream is added to prevent the ricotta from becoming grainy or dry during baking, letting it be its most luscious self. While this baked ziti is meatless (there's plenty of richness from the cheese - three types, to be exact), you could always incorporate a bit of sausage, ground meat or pancetta, if you like. Simply add 1/2 pound to the onions while sautéeing and proceed with the recipe.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, casseroles, main course
Time 2h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Make the tomato sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until it has turned a deeper brick-red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes. Crush the whole tomatoes by hand and add them (including the juice) and the tomato purée to the pot, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Season with salt and pepper and add red pepper flakes, if using. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, heavy cream and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Prepare the pasta: As the sauce cooks, heat oven to 425 degrees, and place a large pot of salted water to boil on the stove.
- Cook pasta until it's nearly al dente. (You want to undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue to cook in the oven. A good way to do this is cook it 2 minutes less than you normally would if preparing it al dente.) Reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, drain pasta and rinse with cool water; set aside while the tomato sauce finishes cooking.
- Once tomato sauce is done, stir in reserved pasta water.
- Place pasta in a large bowl and add 2 cups sauce. Stir to coat pasta evenly encouraging the sauce to go inside each tube.
- Spoon a bit of remaining sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with 1/3 of the pasta. Spoon 1/3 of the remaining sauce on top, dollop with half the ricotta mixture and scatter 1/3 of the mozzarella on top of that. Repeat, beginning with the pasta, one more time. For the final layer, add the last 1/3 of pasta and the last of the sauce. Dot remaining mozzarella on top and shave a bit more Parmesan on top of that. Place baking dish on top of a sheet pan lined with parchment paper to catch any drips. Place in the oven and bake until the edges are golden brown and bubbling and the top has browned nicely, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Let cool slightly before eating with a big green leafy salad.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 682, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 983 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams
BAKED ZITI II
Three cheeses layered with pasta and marinara sauce. This recipe is so easy and so good!
Provided by BUCHKO
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse.
- In a medium bowl, mix ziti, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg and 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spoon in ziti mixture. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, followed by Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 703.2 calories, Carbohydrate 72.6 g, Cholesterol 113 mg, Fat 28.1 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 38.2 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 1110.5 mg, Sugar 14.1 g
ASPARAGUS PASTA BAKE
This asparagus pasta bake is a slightly fancier version of the baked ziti classic.
Provided by PaulD
Categories 100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes Pasta by Shape Recipes Ziti Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook ziti at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parsley to drained pasta. Mix and set aside.
- Chop trimmed asparagus into 1/4-inch slices, separating stems and tips.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in asparagus stems; cook for another 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, 2 to 3 minutes. Add asparagus tips and cook, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread 1 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/2 of the pasta mixture and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle 1/2 of the vegetables on top. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta in an even layer, followed by remaining vegetables. Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Move to the top rack and continue to bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes more. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.4 calories, Carbohydrate 55.2 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 23.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 801.2 mg, Sugar 7.5 g
BAKED ZITI WITH FRESH TOMATOES
I prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, so it saves precious moments when we come in after working out in the fields! -Barbara Johnson, Decker, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally., Cook ziti according to package directions; drain. Place in a large bowl. Stir in sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese. , Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 375 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 851mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 29g protein.
Tips:
- For the creamiest sauce, use a combination of whole milk and half-and-half.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the Parmesan and Asiago cheeses by hand. Just be sure to grate them finely so that they melt smoothly into the sauce.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken or shrimp in this recipe.
- If you don't have fresh asparagus, you can use frozen asparagus. Just be sure to thaw it completely before using.
- Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness to this dish. If you don't have cherry tomatoes, you can use grape tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes.
- Fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano, add a delicious flavor to this dish. If you have them on hand, be sure to add them.
Conclusion:
This three-cheese ziti with ricotta, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The creamy sauce is made with a combination of cheeses, milk, and half-and-half, and the asparagus and cherry tomatoes add a fresh and flavorful touch. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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