Fried Ziti Recipes

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• For the Sauce: In saute pan, heat olive oil, and saute onions and then garlic until medium brown. Add tomatoes and cook until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste.
• For the Filling: Mix ingredients well in mixing bowl and add enough eggs so that the cheese mixture can easily be spread with a spatula.
• For the Assembly: In a 10- by 6 by 3-inch terra cotta dish (or baking dish close in size or type), place a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Arrange a layer of ziti, then cover with a layer of filling, then sprinkle the roasted peppers, sun dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and Romano cheese. Repeat this process (starting with the sauce) until the pan is full ending with a top layer of ziti. Cover the ziti with sauce and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 to 40 minutes or until a little crusty on the top. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Cut and serve with freshly grated dry Ricotta on top.

FRIED ZITI... "PEASANT PASTA"

Steps:

• 1. Cook Ziti al dente- drain and refrigerate to chill (can be done a day ahead of time). Transfer ziti to a cutting board and chop coarsely.
• 2. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil, add scallions, onions and garlic, sauté briefly 1 minute.
• 3. Add chopped ziti and sauté until the pasta starts to brown up and caramelize a bit -be sure to stir and shake the pan back or use a spoon to move the ziti around so you do not burn the pasta and you get some great color throughout the pasta.
• 4. Once you have some great brown color on the Ziti, add salt, pepper, oregano and the fresh herbs than add the sauce mixing and begin sauteing for another few minutes or so. I like to add Cooked Sweet sliced Italian Sausage at this time. Next add a couple of table spoons of the Asiago cheese and fold in.
• 5. Top the whole pan with the grated mozzarella and provolone evenly over the top along with the remaining Asiago cheese.
• 6. Bake in a preheated oven 400 degrees cook pasta for 20-30 minutes until brown and a bit crisp on the sides. Serve with some garlic bread and enjoy!
• 7. You can add any one of the following ingredients in place of the Sausage: Pepperoni- Diced Sautéed Mushrooms Fresh Spinach Meatballs (Cooked and Sliced) Sun dried Tomatoes
• 8. Check the full cooking demo and story behind this dish! www.thecookbookproject.net

OLIVE GARDEN FIVE-CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO

Steps:

• PREPARE THE ZITI SAUCE:.
• Combining all ingredients for the Ziti Sauce in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• PREPARE THE ZITI TOPPING:.
• In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients for the Ziti Topping.
• Add the garlic, oil, and parsley and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• WHEN READY TO PREPARE THE WHOLE DISH:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish or large casserole with non-stick spray.
• Prepare the pasta according to package directions.
• Pour 1/2 cup of prepared ziti sauce into the prepared dish, and spread it evenly over the bottom using a spoon.
• When pasta has finished cooking, drain the water and pour the hot pasta into the bowl of remaining sauce. Mix thoroughly; pour into the baking dish.
• Spread 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta and sauce mixture.
• Top the mozzarella with the prepared Ziti Topping, spreading evenly.
• Place pan on center oven rack and bake until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove and serve immediately.
• From: Olive Garden Restaurant.