Zippy Ziti Recipes

BAKED ZITI (EASY PASTA CASSEROLE) VIDEO

Steps:

• Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until just aldente them drain (so not overcook since they will continue to cook in the oven).
• In a deep pan or dutch oven, over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is fully cooked through and onions are softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and sautee another minute. Add 5 cups marinara, bring to a simmer and continue cooking 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
• Spread a ladle of meat sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
• Into the remaining sauce, add chopped basil and spoon in ricotta. Add cooked pasta and stir just until noodles are coated (you want to keep that ricotta texture)
• Transfer half of the pasta to the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 grated parmesan. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
• Clear the edges of the pan so the cheese doesn't burn onto the dish. Bake at 350˚F for 25 minutes. Broil 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese. Let cool 5 minutes then garnish with basil if desired and serve.

ZIPPY ZITI

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions or until al dente; drain. "Al dente" means the pasta is tender, but still firm to the bite.
• 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil and saute the garlic, zucchini, onion, tomato, mushrooms, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper for 15 to 20 minutes. Combine the pasta and sauteed vegetables and toss.

CROWD-PLEASING BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the beef, sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, salt, pepper flakes and pepper., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover; simmer 15-30 minutes longer or until sauce reaches desired thickness. Discard bay leaf. Cool., Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sauce mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Romano cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and pasta., Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Dot with 1/2 cup ricotta cheese. Top with pasta mixture. Pour remaining sauce mixture over the top. Dot with remaining ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan cheeses., Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or until bubbly.

ZIPPY BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• 2. In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with the Mmmarinara sauce, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, all of the Romano, and the mozzarella cubes.
• 3. Season with the red pepper and black pepper to taste. Mix well.
• 4. Transfer the pasta mix into an oiled 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the mozzarella slices, and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.
• 5. Bake until lightly browned, approximately 30 minutes.

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.

ZIPPY ZITI

Steps:

• Prepare ziti according to package directions add broccoli during last minute of cooking time. Drain add garlic, Alfredo sauce, tomatoes and cheese, mixing well. Spoon into an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish set aside. Toss bread crumbs with margarine sprinkle over ziti. Bake at 350 degrees until top is golden, about 20 to 30 minutes.TIP: Go Mexican with Zippy Ziti! Combine canned tomato sauce with a jar of salsa for a zesty sauce and use tomatoes with green chiles instead of Italian-style tomatoes. Serve topped with sour cream and chopped green onions! From "Meals in Minutes." Copyright Gooseberry Patch. Used with permission of the publisher, Gooseberry Patch. All Rights Reserved.

ZIPPY ZITI

Steps:

• Prepare ziti according to package directions add broccoli during last minute of cooking time. Drain add garlic, Alfredo sauce, tomatoes and cheese, mixing well. Spoon into an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish set aside. Toss bread crumbs with margarine sprinkle over ziti. Bake at 350 degrees until top is golden, about 20 to 30 minutes.TIP: Go Mexican with Zippy Ziti! Combine canned tomato sauce with a jar of salsa for a zesty sauce and use tomatoes with green chiles instead of Italian-style tomatoes. Serve topped with sour cream and chopped green onions! From "Meals in Minutes." Copyright Gooseberry Patch. Used with permission of the publisher, Gooseberry Patch. All Rights Reserved.