Easycheesyziti Recipes

EASY BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F. Cook pasta according to box directions with a generous pinch of salt. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• Add pasta and pasta water back into pot and stir in 3/4 cup Italian cheese blend, 1 cup of tomato sauce, and all of herbs (basil, thyme, and oregano). Pasta should have a creamy and cheesy consistency.
• Transfer pasta to a 13x9 baking dish. Layer with rest of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend over top.
• Bake covered with foil for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbling and browned. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!

EXTRA CHEESY BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Combine canned tomatoes and their juices, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and the mascarpone cheese in a blender or food processor. (A food mill will also work.) Blend until the basil and garlic are chopped into tiny bits and the sauce is well mixed. Taste and adjust with additional salt as needed. Set aside.
• Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (if your oven runs hot, reduce this to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.)
• Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, add the pasta, and then cook for about half of the recommended cook time on the package (5 or 6 minutes). Save 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta, and then place it back into the pot. Undercooking the pasta makes sure that it does not overcook when baked with the sauce in the oven.
• In a medium bowl, toss the mozzarella, Fontina and Pecorino Romano cheese together.
• Add the sauce, 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water and three-quarters of the shredded cheese mix to the pot with pasta. Stir well. The mixture should look a bit thin, if it seems thick, add a splash more of the reserved pasta water.
• Transfer the ziti mixture to a large baking dish and top with the remaining shredded cheese mix. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden brown on top. Allow the baked ziti to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

SIMPLE CHEESY BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add the ziti. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes, then drain the pasta.
• Place the ziti in a large bowl.
• Mix with the ricotta and half of the mozzarella.
• Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Use butter, it tastes better.
• Mix the oregano and the paprika into the spaghetti sauce.
• Pour half of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
• Add the ziti mixture and cover with the remaining sauce.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan and the remaining mozzarella.
• Bake uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the casserole bubbles on the edges.