BAKED ZITI WITH CHEESE

Baked Ziti with Cheese image

Ziti in a creamy tomato sauce with lots of cheese is baked in individual serving dishes for this gourmet weeknight meal.

Provided by Barilla

Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Barilla

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) box Barilla® Ziti
5 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 cups Barilla® Marinara Sauce
1 pound buffalo mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
½ cup fresh breadcrumbs

Steps:

Bechamel sauce: Heat butter in a medium sauce pan until melted. Add flour and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat until light golden brown, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in separate pan until just about to boil.
Add milk to butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth and bring to a boil. Cook 30 seconds and remove from heat. Season with nutmeg and 2 teaspoons salt and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 tablespoons salt (optional).
Cook Ziti for 30 seconds less than the package instructions.
Add Marinara Sauce, bechamel sauce, mozzarella, and grated cheese to the ziti and mix well.
Divide ziti and sauce mixture among six individual gratin dishes. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until bubbling and crusty on top. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.4 calories, Carbohydrate 61.6 g, Cholesterol 75.4 mg, Fat 25.7 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 2428.9 mg, Sugar 6.1 g