Sometimes referred to as lazy lasagna, baked ziti is an essential Italian-American comfort food. Ziti can be a side for a larger meal or a meal unto itself. Popularized in recent years by the HBO series, The Sopranos, this dish is a quicker and easier option than the painstaking preparation of lasagna.
To ensure the best outcome, cook noodles until just al dente, as noodles will continue to cook in the sauce when baked.
Equipment:
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Baked Ziti
Yield: 12
This baked pasta is a wonderful side for a weekend dinner. It can also be made ahead and refrigerated for a weekday meal. Just pop it in the oven and it is ready in just over 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions.
- In a heavy pan, brown beef and sausage until no longer pink. Drain fat.
- Place drained noodles in a bowl and toss with Italian sauce. Add meat and toss until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix mozzarella and parmesan.
- Pour ½ of noodles into a 9 x 12 baking dish. Spread ricotta over noodles. Sprinkle ½ of cheese over ricotta. Layer remaining noodle mixture and top with the of second half of the cheese. Cover with foil in a tent to avoid cheese from melting onto foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Cut into 12 pieces and serve.