Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (233)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(233)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 45 min

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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.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
korrie vancouver, WA 02-04-2010
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The best
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for a baby shower for someone at work. Now I am in trouble, everytime there is something that takes food. I am... told that I have to bring it. Everyother person gets to pick what they get to bring and they tell me what I am going to bring... Thanks. Read more
recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
Heather Brighton, CO 02-01-2010
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Delicious, just don't want to know how many grams of fat are in this puppy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is fantastic. I added a lb. of sausage and the entire family loved it!
recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
DJ Murfreesboro, TN 01-29-2010
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The Best Neopolitan Pasta
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is a simple way to dress up an "ordinary" pasta dish. The bechamel sauce adds a luxurious creaminess, the red... sauce sure beats any jar sauce on the market, and the cheeses... ooh-la-la. I did saute a small chopped onion with the garlic, and I browned a pound of ground beef before adding the tomatoes, but only because my husband likes meat sauce. He wasn't a bechamel fan (he is now), but he ADORED this dish, had seconds, and ate a third for breakfast! If you're aching for some comfort food, this dish is for you. PS- Some commented that broiling did not heat the dish adequately. You could always bake it in a preheated 400? oven for 25-30 minutes instead.Read more
recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
null null, null 01-05-2010
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Great Dish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this with a few variations, according to what I had in the pantry. I used skim milk in place of whole then added... homemade ricotta in place of all other cheese. I baked this long enough for the dish to be bubbly hot, around 15 min. This was creamy and the marina sauce had plenty of yummy garlic flavor.Read more
recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
Michelle Augusta, ME 11-06-2009
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AWESOME!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is one of our favorite pasta dishes ever. I do bake it in the oven at 350 for a half-hour instead of broiling it because... I like to heat it all the way through, and I add some oregano to the tomato sauce because I love the taste, but the bechamel adds that certain something that just brings it over the top. Do try this, it won't disappoint!Read more
recipe Scuderi Kids' Fast, Fake-Baked Ziti
ruth daly city, CA 10-03-2009
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WINNER!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Everyone loves this at my house and whenever my nieces come over, they always request this. Easy to make, I just add extra... ground beef or sausage and double up on the fresh mozzarella to make it rich. YUMMO!Read more