Baked Ziti - Ziti al Forno
User Reviews
4.4
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8 people
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Calories
716 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian-American Fussion
Baked Ziti - Ziti al Forno
Description
Baked Ziti - Ziti al Forno combines ground beef and Italian sausage cooked with garlic, onions, tomato paste, and whole San Marzano tomatoes to build a flavorful marinara sauce seasoned with salt, black pepper, and dried basil. The sauce simmers to meld the flavors before layering with cooked ziti pasta in a casserole dish. A creamy cheese mixture of ricotta, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and mozzarella is layered along with the pasta and sauce, creating rich, tender layers. The casserole is topped with sliced mozzarella cheese before baking, which melts and browns to add a soft yet slightly crisp topping.
The baking process binds the ingredients, creating a cohesive dish with a comforting texture from creamy, saucy, cheesy components and a hint of meaty richness from the sausage and beef. The use of whole San Marzano tomatoes adds a subtle sweetness and bright tomato flavor to the sauce. The layering technique also ensures an even distribution of flavors and textures throughout the bake.
Serve the baked ziti fresh from the oven as a satisfying main course for dinner. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. This casserole can also be portioned for leftovers and reheated for convenient meals. The variety of cheeses contributes both creaminess and a captivating savory note to the dish.
Ingredients
- 1/4 /4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 white onion chopped, medium
- 1/2 /2 tsp salt
- 1/4 /4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp basil dried
- 1/2 /2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 /2 pound Italian sausage sweet or spicy, ground
- 2 T tomato paste
- 28 oz San Marzano Tomatoes whole and peeled
- 16 oz ricotta cheese whole milk
- 1/2 /2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 /2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese grated. Plus extra for topping
- 1 pound ziti pasta cooked
- 1/2 /2 pound fresh mozzarella grated
- 1/4 /4 pound mozzarella cheese sliced
Instructions
- Begin by making the marinara sauce: In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook until the onion is translucent then add the garlic to the pan. Cook for a minute then add the ground beef and ground sausage. Stir the meat and break it up into small pieces using your spoon or spatula.
- Once the meat has browned, add the tomato paste and canned tomatoes to the sauce pan. Stir to combine. Add the salt, pepper and dried basil then lower the heat and cook the sauce for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Set aside once cooked
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, heavy cream, Parmigiano-Reggiano and grated mozzarella.
- Place about 1/4 cup of the marinara in the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Place 1/3 of the cooked ziti in the dish and top with 1/3 of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese mix. Repeat this layering process until all of the ingredients are layered into the casserole pan.
- Top the ziti with the remaining mozzarella slices and sprinkle with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Bake in a 450 degree F oven for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and browning and the sauce around the edge of the pan is bubbling. Enjoy immediately or freeze!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 716 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 130g | |
| Calories | 716kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 128mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 1035mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 636mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 1000IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 12.1mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 480mg | 48% |
| Iron | 3.3mg | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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