Classic Baked Ziti
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Recipe Intro From thelifejolie
There are few things as nostalgic as a classic baked ziti. @TheLifeJolie makes hers with lots of cheese, ground beef and a rich Tuttorosso Tomato sauce. It's perfect for a pasta party, entertaining or just to keep in the fridge for a week of dinners!
Find more recipes using Tuttorosso Tomatoes here!
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ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (28 ounce) cans Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes Chunky in Puree with Sweet Basil
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound ziti, uncooked
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded and divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese, shredded and divided
Optional Ricotta Mixture
ingredients
- 1 8 ounce container ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese, shredded and divided
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley,
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Ground black pepper, adjust to taste
Method
Step 1
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.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
Add ground beef and saute until brown, using a wooden spoon to break it up, around 5 minutes. Drain if needed.
Step 4
Add 2 cans Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes Chunky with Basil, baking soda, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 5
While sauce simmers, boil ziti 3 minutes less than the package directions for al dente and drain. Immediately return to the pot.
Step 6
Place a couple spoonfuls of sauce at the bottom of a 9" x 13" pan.
Step 7
Mix 3/4 of the sauce with the pasta until well combined. If using ricotta, mix all ricotta mixture ingredients in a medium bowl.
Step 8
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.
Step 9
Layer the remaining pasta evenly over the pan and top with remaining sauce.
Step 10
Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
Step 11
Remove from the oven and to with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubble. Serve immediately.