Italian Baked Ziti Authentic Recipes

THE BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Cut down the length of each sausage with a sharp knife. Remove and discard casings.
• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over high heat. Add sausages and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up with a spatula, until the sausage begins to brown, and the onion turns translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add oregano, thyme, and rosemary and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in marinara sauce. Pour 1 cup water into each jar to rinse out remaining sauce; add to the saucepan. Stir together and bring sauce to a simmer.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Turn off heat and reserve until needed. Before using, skim any excess fat that rises to the surface.
• While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 or 2 minutes less than the directions on the package call for, about 8 minutes. Drain well and transfer into a large mixing bowl.
• Carefully add the meat sauce and stir until thoroughly combined. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large 9x15-inch or 9x13-inch casserole dish with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to the prepared dish, then use a spatula to even out into a uniform layer. Top with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and then 1/2 of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese, being sure to distribute evenly. Top with the rest of the pasta and sauce mixture and give the pan a little shake to settle the sauce. Repeat the cheese application.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the casserole is piping hot, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Top with parsley.

ITALIAN BAKED ZITI (AUTHENTIC)

Steps:

• Add tomato sauce,rosemary,oregano,chili peppers,sugar and basil to a pot.
• Bring to boil and simmer one hour. Remove chili peppers.
• Cook pasta to al dente (little chewy). You don't want to overcook it as it cooks in the baking also.
• Remove sausage from casing and cook in 1/2 cup olive oil over medium high till browned.
• Add cooked sausage and all the oil (don't drain)to the tomato sauce and mix.
• Add cooked pasta into a 9x13 baking pan.
• Add the sausage and sauce over top and toss.
• Add parmesan on top and then cover with shredded mozzarella.
• Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes at 350°F (put toothpicks so cheese doesn't stick).
• Remover foil and continue to bake 10 minutes (watch cheese so it doesn't burn).
• Remove from oven and let set 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

AUTHENTIC BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• SAUCE.
• Remove the sausage casings and crumble the sausage.
• Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to a pan, and brown the sausage.
• Puree the tomatoes in a blender (not too much).
• Add onions and garlic to now-browned sausage. Cook for a few more minutes until transparent.
• Add your tomato puree to the sausage.
• Add thyme and basil to sauce.
• Add some salt and pepper to taste.
• Add a generous pinch of the pepper flakes.
• Stir this up, heat to near-boil, then let it simmer covered on low for 15 minutes.
• BUILDING THE DISH.
• Boil your ziti pasta to not quite al-dente. Don't overboil, pasta will soften while baking.
• Cut the mozarella, half of it into 1/2 inch cubes, the other half in as thin of slices as you can manage.
• Remove the herb sprigs from the sauce and discard.
• Add the can of tomato paste to your sauce to thicken it up and give it a lively red color and more intense flavor.
• Add the pasta, your sauce, the cubed mozarella and half the parmesan in a baking dish.
• Top with the sliced mozarella and the remainder of the parmesan.
• Bake for about 30 minutes until golden.

TRADITIONAL BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Boil pasta as directed on box for al dente. Drain and return to pot.
• Add 5/6 of you pasta sauce to pot.
• Add the riggota cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper, oregano, and the egg slightly beaten.Mix well.
• Pour remaining sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
• Pour ziti mix into the baking dish and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.
• Cover with foil and bake for 35-45 minutes or until its bubbly.