Baked Lemon Ziti

Show: Episode:

Picture of Baked Lemon Ziti Recipe Photo: Baked Lemon Ziti Recipe
Rated 4 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 22 Reviews
Total Time:
1 hr 40 min
Prep
35 min
Inactive
10 min
Cook
55 min
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Level:
Easy
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

Pasta:

  • Butter, for greasing the baking dish
  • Salt
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 12 ounces pancetta, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices, chopped

Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
  • Zest of 2 large lemons
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Topping:

  • 2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Directions

For the pasta: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until brown and crispy, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta and drain on paper towels.

For the sauce: In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add the lemon zest. Simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine the cheese sauce, cooked pancetta, pasta, basil and thyme. Toss until the ingredients are coated. Stir in the lemon juice. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella.

For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

Sprinkle the topping over the pasta mixture. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake until the top is golden brown, 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve.

Notes

Cook's Note: The topping can be drizzled with the pancetta cooking juices in place of the olive oil.

Print Recipe

Browse Reviews by Keywordnew!

Loading review filters...

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be logged in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 22 reviews

  • on June 10, 2013

    Flag

    I love Giada's recipes, but this was awful! What a waste of good ingredients! If you're going to try this, exclude the lemon juice, it killed it.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on April 29, 2013

    Flag

    With just 2 of us I did half of the noodle but still the same amount of sauce. The first day it was great, but as the dish sat for left overs it was even better! My husband especially enjoyed this light and refreshing pasta dish.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on April 28, 2013

    Flag

    This was easy and really good! It's a rich and filling dish but the lemons give it a light and refreshing feeling. Would be great to eat and drink with a lemon shandy.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google

© 2013 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved.