Baked Ziti

Saucy, cheesy and full of flavor, Baked Ziti is the ultimate classic Italian and American dish that is easy to make and tastes heavenly.

Baked Ziti can be an easy replacement to lasagna without all the efforts that are required in the multi-layered dish.

It can definitely be considered as a treat for cheese lovers.

Here is a simple recipe of baked ziti that you can make at home.

Health Benefits

Baked ziti has 371 calories per serving. It is advised to be consumed in a moderate quantity. The variety of cheese used in the dish makes it calcium-rich and the marinara sauce is a good source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Ingredients

ziti pasta: 1 pound

extra virgin olive oil

pound of bulk Italian sausage (you can also use ground beef or pork): 1

Large onion (chopped): 1

chopped garlic cloves: 3-4

tablespoon of rosemary (or basil), fresh and minced: 1

tablespoon of Italian seasoning: 1

teaspoon of red pepper flakes: 1/2

ounces or one large jar of marinara sauce: 32

pound of mozzarella cheese, grated: 1/2

cup of ricotta cheese: 1

cup of Parmesan cheese, grated (you can also use pecorino cheese instead): 1

How To Make Baked Ziti

1. In a large pot, boil 2 quarts of water. Add some salt to the boiling water and empty the uncooked pasta into the pot.
2. Let the pasta cook on a medium to high heat until it is al dente.
3. Drain the pasta through a strainer and toss a little olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set the pasta aside.
4. In a large sauté pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add the bulk sausage or meat of choice into the hot oil.
6. Cook the sausage or meat until it is well browned.
7. Stir in onions with the sausage and sauté until the onion turns translucent. It will take about 4 to 5 minutes.
8. Add garlic, rosemary, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes into the onion and sausage, and stir until they are combined.
9. Cook for one minute and then add tomato sauce to the mixture.
10. Stir well and bring to simmer.
11. Set the oven on preheat to 350 degrees F.
12. In a 9x13-inch casserole pan, spread a thin layer of sauce on the surface.
13. Above the sauce, sprinkle half of the ricotta cheese.
14. Add some sauce to the pasta and stir well until the pasta is well covered.
15. Place the pasta over the ricotta cheese in the casserole dish.
16. Pour rest of the sauce over the pasta and sprinkle the remaining ricotta cheese on the top.
17. Pepper the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese on the top and bake for 20 minutes until the top is light brown in cover and the cheese melted.

Trivia

• Baked ziti is a variation of pasta al forno.
• It is attributed to an Italian American cuisine for its ingredients, macaroni, and sauce.

Baked ziti was originated from Northern Italy and was brought to America by the Italian migrants.