| Baked Ziti is an easy and popular Italian dish that | | | | this recipe or leave it out as you prefer. |
| you can make at home yourself. All you have to | | | | To prepare baked ziti, you will need the following |
| do is follow the basic recipe listed below. | | | | ingredients:o One pound of ziti pastao 4 cups of |
| The Sauce | | | | marinara sauce, either jarred or from the recipe |
| While you could use jarred marinara sauce of the | | | | listed aboveo 8 ounces of fresh shredded |
| baked ziti if you are really pressed for time, the | | | | mozzarellao 1/2 cup of fresh grated |
| dish will be so much better if you make it | | | | Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeseo Optional: 1 pound of |
| yourself. Mastering marinara sauce is not that | | | | ricotta cheese |
| difficult, and it provides you with a base for | | | | Start by cooking the pasta. You will need to bring |
| numerous pasta recipes, including baked ziti. | | | | a large pot of water to a boil, and then add in the |
| To make marinara sauce, you will first need to | | | | ziti. Cook until it is almost al dente, but remains |
| get the following ingredients:o 1/4 cup of olive oilo | | | | somewhat undercooked - it will continue to cook |
| 4 garlic cloves, halvedo A 35 ounce can of | | | | while baking. Strain the pasta. |
| imported Italian tomatoes (can be substituted with | | | | Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour |
| fresh tomatoes if you prefer)o 3 basil leaves, | | | | the strained pasta into a large baking dish. Add in |
| washed and choppedo Salto Pepper | | | | half of the sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, |
| Pour the olive oil into a large sauce pan and add | | | | and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. |
| the garlic. Turn the heat to medium and cook until | | | | If you are using ricotta, add in all of it now. Toss |
| the garlic is soft and slightly browned. While it is | | | | with the pasta until it is well mixed. Top the |
| cooking, crush the tomatoes, saving the juices. | | | | mixture with the remaining sauce, and the sprinkle |
| Add to the garlic. Add in the basil and salt and | | | | on the remaining cheese. Bake the baked ziti for |
| pepper to taste. Bring the entire mixture to a boil, | | | | 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted |
| and then lower the heat so that it simmers. Cook | | | | and lightly browned. Serve immediately or freeze |
| the sauce for about 20 minutes or until thickened. | | | | for a future meal. You can serve your baked ziti |
| Baked Ziti | | | | alongside a traditional Italian salad and some garlic |
| Once you have your sauce prepared you are | | | | bread. |
| ready to make your baked ziti. There is some | | | | To finish the meal, consider adding in a glass of |
| debate as to whether the dish should contain | | | | fine Italian wine and even a slice of tiramisu or a |
| ricotta cheese. Baked ziti does not. However, a | | | | bowl of gelato. This meal is so easy to prepare |
| very similar dish, Ziti Sorrentino, does have the | | | | and so delicious you will look for excuses to cook. |
| ricotta added in. So you can choose to add it into | | | | |