Best Paisans Classic Baked Ziti Recipes

BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and boil the pasta until al dente (tender but still slightly firm). Drain.
• Toss the cooked pasta with the quick tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan, all of the black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan. Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

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.

CLASSIC BAKED ZITI RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Cook pasta just under al dente - about 2 minutes under package directions. Drain and set aside the pasta.
• Meanwhile, cook the sausage in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, crumbling as it cooks. Once browned, remove the sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon, leaving the grease in the skillet.
• Sauté the onions in the skillet over medium heat until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomato paste and combine it into the onions and garlic, using the back of your spoon to incorporate. Cook until the tomato paste darkens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Deglaze the pan with red wine, stirring to incorporate. Allow the red wine to reduce completely, for 2 to 3 minutes; do not allow anything to burn.
• Once the wine is reduced, add the tomato sauce and seasonings, including salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Add the reserved sausage and cooked ziti back into the sauce. Stir to combine.
• Fold in the ricotta. The sauce should take on a rosy pink hue.
• Transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch (or larger) baking dish. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then top with mozzarella slices. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• If a crust is desired, turn the broiler to high and place the dish on the top rack, with the ziti 5 inches from the heat source. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and crispy on top. Remove from oven.
• Top with parsley (if desired) and serve.

CLASSIC BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until beef is browned; stirring frequently.
• Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and oregano.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir 1 cup of the sauce into the cooked ziti noodles.
• Spoon 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
• Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Top with 2 cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture and remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until heated through.

CREAMY BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Remove from pan; drain. Meanwhile, add marinara sauce, tomatoes and cream cheese to same pan; cook on medium heat 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Return pasta to pan; mix well.
• Layer half the pasta mixture in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella and remaining pasta mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through.