Ingredients
- 1 pound dried ziti pasta
- Kosher salt
- 3 1/2 cups QUICK MARINARA SAUCE, recipe follows
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
- 1/4 cup grated pecorino romano
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper or to taste
Directions
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.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, the pecorino, and the cubed mozzarella pieces. Season with the black pepper and red pepper to taste, and mix until well combined. Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9- x 13-inch 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.
- QUICK MARINARA SAUCE
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 1/2 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree, (one 28-ounce can), roughly chopped
- Sprig of fresh thyme
- Sprig of fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. 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 the salt and season with pepper to taste. Use now, or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Yield: about 3 1/2 cups.
Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 50 reviews
By JeanMomOfTwoBoys
Pennsylvania
on December 24, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Ziti was a Christmas Eve tradition when I was growing up and I wanted to carry it on to my family. I made this recipe for the first time today (Christmas Eve and it was so good and so easy! I actually bought marinara from a local Italian market (it was their homemade sauce and it was delicious. I made it in the AM and baked it tonight. Served with fresh bread and a salad - perfect! I will definitely be making it again! It was a big hit with everyone!
By DawnMarie983
on December 22, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I've made this recipe many many times. And making it again tonight! It's my go to for when I want to please a crowd. I love it, friends love it and its easy to do.. and it's even easier if you substitiute the sauce of two jars of store bought sauce. One thing that I like to add to spice it up is a pound of hot italian sausage, for my family the sausage completes it!
By tmorgan86
Pennsylvania
on August 12, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I followed this recipe precisely and was terribly disappointed! Definitely double or triple the sauce recipe, because 3-1/2 cups of sauce is not nearly enough sauce for a pound of pasta!
Read all 50 reviews