Baked Ziti

From Food Network Kitchens

Show: How To Boil WaterEpisode: Easy Bake Menu

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (162)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(162)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
about 6 to 8 main course servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 50 min

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Ingredients

1 pound dried ziti pasta
Kosher salt
3 1/2 cups Quick Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
1 pound fresh mozzarella, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes

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.

Toss the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and pepper flakes. Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9 by 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 Tomato Sauce:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound sweet and or spicy Italian sausages, casing removed and crumbled

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 fresh thyme

Sprig fresh basil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. 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 5 cups

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Baked Ziti
null null, null 01-24-2010
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Stays in my recipe box forever!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was awesome! Very easy to put together and served with a nice green salad is a complete meal. I have made it the... night before and baked the next day. Perfect for preparing for a busy week or night! My husband loves this dish!Read more
recipe Baked Ziti
Elizabeth Newport Coast, CA 01-11-2010
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Excellent, flavorful, and simple
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This baked ziti was incredibly easy to make, including the basic tomato sauce. The finished product was a little watery for... a baked ziti, as a previous reviewed noted that it was not as saucy as the regular baked ziti, but the flavor was definitely there. This basic recipe could be the base for other versions of baked ziti. I added more basil than the recipe called for, since I really love the freshness it adds to italian sausage sauces. I also used half hot italian sausage and half sweet italian sausage.Read more
recipe Baked Ziti
Lorraine winthrop, MA 12-29-2009
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YUMMIE!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family loves it when I make this recipe.
recipe Baked Ziti
Isela Galveston, TX 12-21-2009
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Easy and good
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This recipe is very straightforward and required little effort. It tastes pretty good. I tried making it with Italian sausage... (beef and pork) and it turned out great, but when I tried the same recipe with turkey Italian sausage, it just didn't have the same kick that I enjoyed the first time. Still, it was good :)Read more
recipe Baked Ziti
TINA Loganville, GA 12-20-2009
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WOW....
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was the best Ziti I have ever made. My husband loved it, and wants me to make it a part of the regular rotation....it... tasted even better the next day!Read more
recipe Baked Ziti
Cindy Portsmouth, NH 12-01-2009
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Great tasting ziti
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

My boyfriend and I really enjoyed this. I was amazed at how quick, easy and cheap this was to make. Plus, we had leftovers.... I used sweet Italian sausage and ended up using all of the sauce. It definitely wasn't as "saucy" as my previous experiences with baked ziti, but it was still delicious and I would make it again.Read more