Pasta Al Forno Baked Ziti Recipes

PASTA AL FORNO (BAKED ZITI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and bring a large pot of hot water to a boil and salt the water liberally once boiling.
• Once heated add onions and a garlic to the pan with the oil and saute stirring often for 2-3 minutes stirring often to soften it- be careful not to burn the garlic.
• Add ground beef and saute until brown, using a wooden spoon to break it up, around 5 minutes. Drain if needed.
• Add 2 cans Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes Chunky with Basil, baking soda, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• While sauce simmers, boil ziti 3 minutes less than the package directions for al dente and drain. Immediately return to the pot.
• Place a couple spoonfuls of sauce at the bottom of a 9" x 13" pan.
• Mix 3/4 of the sauce with the pasta until well combined. If using ricotta, mix all ricotta mixture ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Place 1/2 the pasta mixture into the 9" x 13" baking pan. If using ricotta, add dollops of ricotta mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
• Layer the remaining pasta evenly over the pan and top with remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubble. Serve immediately.

NONNA'S BAKED ZITI - PASTA AL FORNO

Steps:

• Prepare the Sauce: In a sauce pan, add the extra virgin olive oil, the onion, the garlic, the bay leaves, the peperoncino and the salt. Let everything saute until the garlic turns golden and the onion is translucent. Add the ground meat and brake it up so that it browns uniformly. Once the meat has browned, add the wine and let it evaporate. Add the chopped tomatoes and the basil. Let the sauce cook for 30 mins. Assemble the Dish: Pre-heat the oven at 450F Cook the ziti until they are half way done. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Take a baking pan and add 4 scoops of sauce at the bottom. Add half of the pasta and spread it evenly. Add another light coating of sauce followed by a generous sprinkle of cheese, followed by the shredded mozzarella. Add the other half of the ziti. Cover the ziti with a coating of sauce and Parmigiano cheese. Bake the dish for 20 mins. Remove from the oven, add the cubed mozzarella and continue baking for another 10 mins. Let the dish rest for about 15 mins. and serve.

FIVE-CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente; drain., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, 1 cup mozzarella and the ricotta, provolone and Romano. Cook over medium heat until sauce begins to simmer and cheeses are melted. Stir in cooked pasta; pour mixture into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese., In a small bowl, stir together Parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic and olive oil; sprinkle over the pasta., Bake, uncovered, until mixture is bubbly and topping is golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.Freeze option: Cool the unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 50 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°, 15-20 minutes longer.

ZITI AL FORNO (FROM THE SOPRANOS FAMILY COOKBOOK)

Steps:

• Put all the ziti in a large bowl.
• Toss ziti with 3 cups of the gravy and half of the grated cheese.
• Spoon half of the ziti into a casserole dish.
• Spread the ricotta over the top of the ziti.
• Sprinkle with the mozzarella and rest of grated cheese.
• Pour on 1 cup of sauce.
• Top with remaining ziti and rest of sauce (it will be almost overflowing) sprinkle with more grated cheese.
• Bake covered with foil for 45 minutes and then uncovered for 15 minutes.
• Let stand 15 minutes.
• Tell me immediately how it was!