Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes (recommended: San Marzano)
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, (recommended: San Marzano)* If San Marzanos are not available, add a teaspoon sugar to your sauce, optional
- Coarse salt
- A handful fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 pound ziti rigate, with ridges
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A generous grating nutmeg
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 cup sliced fresh mozzarella
- Crusty bread, to pass at table
Directions
Put pasta water on to boil.
In a medium sauce pot over medium heat, saute garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. Chop whole tomatoes and add them to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes and salt and simmer 10 minutes, add basil and simmer over low heat 10 minutes more.
Add salt and pasta to boiling water and cook 6 minutes, leaving pasta a little chewy.
While pasta cooks, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then cook 1 minute, adding salt and pepper and nutmeg to flour. Add milk and bring sauce to a bubble. Reduce 5 minutes.
Drain pasta and transfer to a large casserole dish. Pour the tomato and basil sauce over the pasta and turn to coat the pasta. Pour the bechamel over the already coated pasta. Cover the top of the pasta with Asiago, Parmesan and mozzarella. Place the casserole under hot broiler and melt the 3 cheeses until brown and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately with Spinach and Artichoke Salad and bread.
Spinach and Artichoke Salad:
3/4 pound, 4 to 5 cups, baby spinach, packed
2 (15-ounce) cans artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
A handful shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
Combine spinach and artichokes. Place garlic, lemon zest and juice in small dish and add vinegar. Let it stand 5 minutes then whisk in extra-virgin olive oil. Pour oil and vinegar dressing over salad and toss to combine. Season the salad with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top the salad with cheese then serve.
Photo: Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti Recipe

















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By CurvyGurl
Cleveland, OH
on April 09, 2013
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This was immediately proclaimed "A KEEPER"! The only complaint was that it has no meat, so next time I may brown some italian sausage crumbles to add in. Served with a regular green salad as artichokes are not a favorite.
By hbaker1013
Casco, MI
on February 19, 2013
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This was absolutely amazing. We added a little red wine to the sauce but other than that it tasted so fresh and amazing. It was gone in 2 days. Everyone loved it even our picky eaters.
By caracapretta_11...
Canal Wincheste...
on October 22, 2012
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This was the best baked ziti I've ever made. I actually served it at a kid party. My only suggestion is to make sure you really cook the tomatoes down in the sauce so the kids will eat everything on their plate!
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