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Baked Ziti

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Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food that combines hearty pasta, savory tomato sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers, making it a great dish for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano (or Parmigiano Reggiano) cheese, divided
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for serving
  • 8 ounces whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat,. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until the onion is translucent.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream, ⅓ cup of grated cheese, and chopped basil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta. Top with half of the sauce mixture and half of the shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle the top with the remaining grated cheese.
  6. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Let the baked ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped basil if desired.

Notes

Vegetarian:  add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini.Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free ziti pasta.Spicy: Add more crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the sauce.Cheesy: Incorporate ricotta cheese into the layers for added creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/baked-ziti/