Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
10
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Baked Ziti
Description
The Baked Ziti recipe features a robust sauce made from sautéed onions and Italian sausage, with layers of crushed and diced tomatoes, tomato paste, fresh basil, and parsley. Garlic adds aromatic depth. Pasta is boiled to nearly al dente, then tossed with reserved pasta water and some sauce to coat evenly, ensuring the final bake is moist but not soggy. A ricotta mixture enriched with egg and parsley adds creaminess and helps bind the bake together. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top melt to a bubbling golden crust during baking at 350°F.
The texture balances tender pasta and meaty sauce with creamy and stretchy cheese, while herbs like basil and parsley brighten the dish. The recipe allows for broiling towards the end for a more browned cheese topping if not using glass bakeware. This casserole can be served as a main for family dinners or gatherings, paired with a simple green salad.
For a spicier version, red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce. Broiling briefly at the end will create a more pronounced browned top, enhancing both texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 3/4 cup onion 1 medium onion, yellow, chopped
- 1 lb Italian sausage such as Johnsonville, mild or hot
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes petite
- 3 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/3 cup basil plus more for topping, fresh, chopped, slightly packed
- 4 Tbsp parsley divided, chopped, fresh
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg large
- 3 1/2 cups (14 oz) mozzarella cheese divided, shredded
- 3/4 cup (1.7 oz) Parmesan Cheese divided, finely shredded
- 16 oz ziti dry
Instructions
- Preheat oven and boil water: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil (for pasta).
- For the sauce: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan (deep skillet), add onions and saute 2 minutes then add sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up sausage occasionally, until cooked through, adding in garlic during last 1 minute, drain excess fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, 2 Tbsp parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture to a light boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer 10 minutes then remove from heat.
- Too cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions about a minute shy of al dente. Drain pasta while reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- Return pasta to empty pot, immediately add reserved pasta water and 1 cup of the red sauce then toss pasta to coat.
- For the cheeses: In a mixing bowl using a fork stir together ricotta, egg, 2 Tbsp parsley and season with salt and pepper. Mix in 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the parmesan.
- To assemble the ziti: Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the red sauce evenly into bottom of dish, then spread 1/2 of the pasta over sauce then dollop spoonfuls of ricotta mixture all over pasta and flatten slightly.
- Top with remaining pasta. Spoon remaining sauce evenly over pasta layer. Sprinkle top evenly with remaining 2 cups of the mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan.
- To cook the baked ziti: Tent baking dish with foil (don't let it touch the cheese or it will stick) and bake 15 minutes then uncover and bake 10 - 15 minutes longer until cheese is melted throughout. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a browned cheese topping, broil the bake during the last few minutes, avoiding glass bakeware to prevent cracking.
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier flavor.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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