Best Best Baked Ziti 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.

BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Cook ziti according to package directions; drain.
• In large bowl, combine ziti, 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder and pepper.
• In a 9" x 13" pan (sprayed with cooking spray- for easy clean-up) pour 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce; spread ziti mixture evenly over sauce.
• Top with remaining 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce and spread evenly; sprinkle with parmesan cheese (I add additional mozzarella to the top as well).
• Bake covered at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

NICOLE'S BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon kosher salt to the boiling water and stir in pasta. Cook until just about tender to the bite, about 8 minutes (or 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions).
• At the same time, heat a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage and beef and cook, crumbling with the back of a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and pepper flakes; cook until onion is translucent and softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Drain pasta and return to the pot. Add about 1/2 cup marinara; toss to coat and let sit until needed.
• Add remaining marinara sauce to the browned meat mixture. Pour 1/4 cup water into each jar, shake to release any leftover sauce in the jar, and pour into the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
• Stir ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, basil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper together in a bowl.
• Add 2 cups meat sauce to the pasta; toss to coat.
• Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add ½ of the pasta mixture and top with 2 cups meat sauce. Lightly dollop and spread ricotta mixture over the top and sprinkle evenly with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta mixture, remaining meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella on top. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

THE BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
• Fill a large pot with water, add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Cook pasta as the package directs until al dente, then drain.
• Heat the olive oil in large pan over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add the rosemary and garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes more then remove from pan and hold in a small bowl.
• Cook ground beef and sausage in the pan until done.
• Return the onion mixture and the spaghetti sauce to the pan. Add salt to taste. Simmer on low for 10 minutes.
• In greased baking dish, spoon 1/2 of the cooked pasta, provolone cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, 1/2 of the meat sauce. Then repeat layering the rest of the ingredients in the same order: pasta, mozzarella cheese, and remaining meat sauce. Top with parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted.

BEST BAKED ZITI RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Remove from pan; drain. Meanwhile, cook pasta sauce, tomatoes and Neufchatel in same pan on medium heat 5 min. or until Neufchatel is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.
• Toss pasta with sauce; spread half onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with layers of sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella and remaining pasta mixture; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

BEST BAKED ZITI FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti or penne pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
• 2. In a large skillet, brown onion, ground beef and crumbled sausage over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
• 3. In medium bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, egg & Italian seasoning.
• 4. Spray one jumbo or two large aluminum foil pans with cooking spray.
• 5. Layer ingredients as follows: • half of the sauce • half of the ziti • half of the Provolone cheese, • half of the mozzarella
• 6. Layer remaining sauce, ziti, provolone & mozzarella.
• 7. Spread all of ricotta/sour cream mixture on top.
• 8. Sprinkle parmesan on top.
• 9. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly, about 45 minutes.
• 10. IF FREEZING: Assemble as above but do not bake. Wrap well, label, and freeze.
• 11. TO COOK FROM FROZEN: Place in fridge to thaw a few days before serving. Bake at 350 until bubbly. Allow to rest at least a half hour before serving.

BEST-EVER BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. 2.Whisk cottage cheese, eggs, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese together in a med bowl. 3. Bring 4 qts water to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add 1 Tbs salt and the pasta. Cook stirring often, until nearly tender. Drain pasta and leave in colander (do not wash Dutch Oven). 4. Meanwhile, heat oil and garlic in a large skillet over med heat until fragrant but not brown, about 2 min. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes & oregano and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Off the heat, stir in 1/2 cup of basil and the sugar, then season w/salt & pepper to taste. 5. Stir the cream & cornstarch together in a small bowl,transfer mixture to the now empty Dutch oven. Bring to simmer over medium heat & cook until thickened, 3 - 4 min. Off heat, add cottage cheese mixture, 1 c tomato sauce and half of the mozarrella, then stir to combine. Add the pasta and stir to coat thoroughly. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 13x9" baking dish & spread the remaining tomato sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella plus 1/2 c Parmesan evenly over top of dish.(STOP HERE if making ahead.) 6. Spray a large sheet of foil w/oil and cover baking dish tightly. Bake 30 min - REMOVE foil & continue to cook for about 30 more min until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown. Cool for about 10 minutes before sprinkling remaining basil over top.

BEST BAKED ZITI EVER

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 380 degrees.
• 2. Brown Ground beef, strain, and then transfer to a very large bowl.
• 3. Bring pasta to a boil, strain, and transfer to bowl with meat.
• 4. Mix 1 lb of the mozzarella and the entire italian cheese mix to the meat and pasta and mix together.
• 5. Add spagetti sauce and toss again to coat thoroughly.
• 6. Pour mixture into a large baking pan and spread evenly.
• 7. Take remaining lb of mozzarella and thoroughly cover entire mixture.
• 8. Place pan in oven and bake until top is brown and bubbly.
• 9. Enjoy!

BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
• In a large skillet, brown onion, garlic, and ground beef over medium heat.
• Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, Ricotta, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture.
• Cover with foil.
• Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven.
• Remove from oven and remove foil.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven uncovered.
• Bake 5 minutes more or until cheese is golden brown.
• *Increasebaking time if made ahead and refrigerated.

BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
• In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• 1. Bring a lg. pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 min., or until al dente; drain.
• 2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in lg. heavy skillet over med. heat. Cook onion in oil until tender. Stir in rosemary and garlic. Transfer to a small bowl. Place ground beef and sausage in the skillet. Cook over med. high heat until evenly brown. Stir in the onion mixture and the spaghetti sauce. Season with salt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 min. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 in. baking dish. In the prepared dish, layer 1/2 the cooked pasta, provolone cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and a little less than 1/2 of the meat mixture. Then layer the rest of the pasta, mozzarella cheese, remaining meat mixture, and Parmesan cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through and cheeses are melted.