Comfort Food :: Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti has all the makings of a good comfort food and is a nice addition to the recipe box.  It is relatively simple, lends well to variations based on what you have in your cupboards, and definitely sets a cozy tone. 

 

I made my first batch of Baked Ziti approximately three years ago based on the recipe on the back of the pasta box.  Since then we have added our twists and tried different renditions but the absolute simplicity of the steps keeps me coming back.  While I love the challenge of trying a new recipe or working through a complex series of steps, sometimes you just want a non-fussy, flavor packed dinner.

Baked Ziti does require a bit of time though when accounting for the prep and the baking, so it works best for us as either a non-rushed work night or a weekend dinner.  This is also excellent for making ahead.  I have done all the prep on a Sunday and then put it into the fridge so that after work during the week I can just pop it into the oven. 

To help try to get in those 5 to 7 servings daily of fruits and veggies, I like to load up the ziti with zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms, extra tomatoes, and red bell peppers.  This is a dish that is easy to modify, based on what is available/ in season and what is in your cupboards.  We love the favor of the Italian herb blend that we get from the Spice House, but any combination of basil, marjoram, and thyme would work.

Baked Ziti

Serves: approximately 4 to 6

1 pound spicy Italian sausage
10 ounces ziti, approximately (can substitute other pasta such as penne, mostaccioli, etc)
1/2 of an onion, diced
4 ounces of sliced mushrooms
1/2 of a red bell pepper, diced
1 cup zucchini, diced
1 cup summer squash, diced
1 can of diced tomatoes
28 ounces Pomodoro Sauce, or your favorite marinara
6 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces of grated parmesan cheese
pinch of kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or any combination of basil, marjoram, and thyme)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Brown the sausage, drain the grease and set aside.

Cook the pasta according to al dente (try to not over cook for the best texture!).

While the pasta is cooking, sautee the vegetables, seasoning them with kosher salt and black pepper. 

In a baking dish, stir together the sausage, sauteed veggies, pasta, diced tomatoes, and pomodoro sauce.  Season to taste with the Italian Seasoning.  Top with the cheeses and a light sprinkle of Italian seasoning. 

Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Remove the foil and cook for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Enjoy!

~ Tara

Comments

[lo]

Baked pasta is one of our "go to" dishes -- particularly during the winter months. Like you, I love it that we can load it up with vegetables. Makes it an ultra-quick one-dish meal... and Peef never complains when we've got a bit of saucy cheesy pasta on the table! :)

[Maggie]

Baked ziti was "my" dish that I'd make for my family in high school. To this day, it makes me grin! And feel right at home.

[Nizz]

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