Baked Ziti My Way Recipes

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Cook the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water (for every 2 quarts of water, one tablespoon of salt) to a strong boil. Add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente-edible but still a little firm to the bite. Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.
• Brown the meat: While the water is heating in the previous step, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the bulk sausage or ground meat. Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. Brown well. Don't stir that often or it will be more difficult for the meat to brown. If you are using ground beef or pork instead of sausage, sprinkle with a little salt.

BAKED ZITI - MY WAY

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the ziti for 10 or 11 minutes. Rinse in cold water to prevent further cooking and set aside.
• 2. Cook the sausage in a large skillet in 1 Tbsp. of the oil over medium heat. Break it up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.
• 3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil and add the green pepper and onion, cooking until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
• 4. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to the onion, pepper, and garlic mixture and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• 5. To the bowl of sausage, add the cooked ziti, basil, 2 cups of the mozzarella, and the tomato sauce mixture. Combine well and season with salt and pepper.
• 6. Turn mixture into a lightly oiled 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and then the parmesan.
• 7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 400-degree oven, on the center rack, for 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover and broil for 2 to 4 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned.
• 8. Serve with a good garlic bread and green salad. And hey, why not, a bottle of red wine! Buon appetito!

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
• Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
• Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
• Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.