Tomato Pasta Bake | Italian Style Baked Ziti

This deliciously creamy recipe for vegetarian Italian type Baked Ziti (Three Cheese Tomato Pasta Bake) is straightforward to make and even simpler to take pleasure in. Brimming with ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, this casserole is balanced by a superbly seasoned do-it-yourself tomato sauce. It is considered one of our household’s favourite methods to take pleasure in pasta, and I hope that you just find it irresistible as a lot as we do!

Why You’ll Love This Tomato Pasta Bake

This recipe is my vegetarian tackle Baked Ziti, a traditional Italian pasta dish. It’s mainly a Tomato Pasta Bake with layers of ziti, cheese, and a tomato–mushroom sauce.

Ziti is a tubular pasta, very like penne however longer with straight-cut ends as a substitute of angled ones. Since ziti isn’t very talked-about in India, you may also make it with penne, rigatoni or macaroni.

I exploit mushrooms right here for a hearty vegetarian model, however you’ll be able to skip them or add your selection of veggies.

Many individuals merely name this a cheese pasta bake, veg baked pasta, or baked pasta casserole — all imply the identical comforting dish baked with tomato sauce and cheese.

There are numerous recipes for baked ziti with ricotta, however I’ve typically discovered them dry and bland. Not so with my Three Cheese Baked Ziti. It’s gooey, saucy, and tacky sufficient to pair completely with Garlic Bread.

I at all times make further tomato sauce so the pasta and cheese by no means dry out whereas baking. Tomatoes add a pleasing acidity that balances the creamy cheese, and the chili flakes carry a vigorous kick to the Italian herbs.

I additionally whisk cream into the ricotta combination, which makes the filling further luscious and easy. That first stretchy forkful says all of it.

What I really like most is the simplicity. It’s like Lasagna, however with out the fuss of delicate pasta sheets or strict layering. Just an on a regular basis bowl of consolation — cozy, warming, and excellent for while you crave one thing hearty.

Substitutes for Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes

For this recipe, I used Italian San Marzano entire peeled tomatoes with juice. They are recognized for his or her pure sweetness and balanced taste, which works superbly in pasta sauces.

If you don’t have San Marzano or canned entire peeled tomatoes, there are a number of straightforward options:

1. Canned Tomatoes (Chopped or Diced): Use the identical quantity, about 920 grams (4 cups). Simmer for 15 to twenty minutes. No further water wanted.
2. Fresh Tomatoes: Use 900 to 950 grams (8 to 9 medium-large). Blanch, peel, and crush earlier than including. Simmer 20 to 25 minutes to cut back the uncooked taste.
3. Homemade Tomato Purée: Use 4 cups. Simmer 20 to 25 minutes till thickened. No water required until it’s too thick.
4. Passata: Use 3 to three.5 cups (700 to 800 g). Since it’s easy and concentrated, add a splash of water if too thick. Simmer 8 to 12 minutes.
5. Canned Pasta Sauce: Use 3 to three.5 cups (700 to 800 g). Thin with a little bit water if wanted. Simmer 8 to 12 minutes.
6. Marinara Sauce (Homemade or Canned): Use 3 to three.5 cups (700 to 800 g). Already seasoned, so regulate herbs, salt, and chili as wanted. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes.

How to Make Baked Ziti

Before we start, let’s shortly take a look at the method. Making baked ziti has three components – cooking the pasta, making ready the tomato–mushroom sauce, and mixing the creamy ricotta cheese layer. Once these are prepared, all the pieces is assembled and baked.

Cook Ziti Pasta

1. Bring 5 cups water and 1.5 teaspoon salt to a boil on medium to medium-high warmth. Add 2 cups ziti (500 grams).

For this Tomato Pasta Bake recipe, you could possibly use pasta varieties like rigatoni, penne, macaroni (elbow pasta), fusilli, pipe pasta, or shell pasta.

2. Stir gently to stop any pasta from sticking to one another or on the backside of the pan. Cook the pasta on medium to medium-high warmth, till al dente (tender but agency to the chew). 

3. Using a colander, pressure the water and set cooked ziti apart.

Tip: Do NOT rinse the pasta below water after draining. This will take away among the starch, which can inhibit the cheese and sauce from sticking to the pasta. The ziti will inevitably stick collectively because it cools, however don’t fear. The tomato sauce will assist to interrupt it up when the time comes.

Make Three Cheese Stuffing

4. Take 1 cup ricotta cheese (250 grams) and ½ cup heavy cream in a mixing bowl.

Note: If ricotta isn’t out there, you should utilize grated or crumbled Paneer or a properly drained cottage cheese. For paneer, simply combine it with just a few spoons of cream or milk to get a comfortable, creamy texture much like ricotta. Paneer gained’t give the identical creaminess, however works properly on this baked pasta recipe.

5. Add ½ cup grated vegetarian parmesan cheese and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

6. Combine completely and put aside.

Tip: No want for any fancy equipment right here. You can stir the cheese combination along with a fork or spoon.

Make Tomato Sauce

7. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan till shimmering. Add ½ cup chopped onions and 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic.

8. Sauté onions and garlic till onions soften, about 4 to five minutes.

9. Add 2.5 to three cups chopped button mushrooms and sauté till all of the water evaporates from the mushrooms. There needs to be no water left within the pan. 

10. Add 920 grams Italian canned entire peeled tomatoes with juice (about 4 cups). You can roughly chop or crush the tomatoes utilizing a meals mill previous to including the tomatoes to the pan. You may use a potato masher to mash them as soon as they’re added.

Tip 1 (Fresh Tomatoes): If utilizing recent tomatoes, blanch, peel, and crush about 900 to 950 g (8 to 9 medium-large tomatoes). For do-it-yourself purée, use 4 cups. In each circumstances, simmer longer (20 to 25 minutes) so the sauce reduces and the uncooked taste cooks out.

Tip 2 (Other Canned Options): If canned entire tomatoes aren’t out there, use 920 g (4 cups) canned chopped tomatoes. For passata, canned pasta sauce, or Marinara, use 3 to three.5 cups (700 to 800 g), simmer solely 8 to 12 minutes, and add a splash of water if the sauce feels too thick.

11. Mix and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir sometimes to make sure nothing sticks to the underside of the pan.

The sauce is prepared when it seems diminished, clings to the spoon, and not runs off like water

12. Add the next herbs and spices:

• 2 tablespoons chopped recent basil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon teaspoon pink chili flakes
• ¼ teaspoon crushed pepper
• salt as required

Tip: If you like add ½ to 1 teaspoon sugar or as wanted, to steadiness the tanginess of the tomatoes. Do a style check earlier than including sugar.

Assemble Tomato Pasta

13. Set apart just a few spoons of sauce within the backside of your baking casserole dish. Now add the cooked ziti to the sauce left within the pan. Combine till the sauce has the coated the pasta properly.

14. Spread the little bit of sauce you added to the casserole dish or baking dish round. This will stop the pasta from sticking to the underside whereas it bakes. 

15. Make a layer with half of the pasta coated with the sauce. 

16. Spread evenly half of ricotta cheese combination that we made earlier excessive.

17. Top with ½ cup grated vegetarian parmesan and ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. 

18. Layer with the remaining pasta. 

19. Repeat with the cheese combination, ½ cup grated vegetarian parmesan and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. 

Sprinkle evenly throughout ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper or floor black pepper.

Make Baked Ziti

20. Place uncovered in a preheated oven at 190 levels Celsius (375F).

21. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or till the cheese melts or is gentle golden. Give the baked ziti a 5 to 10 minute relaxation as soon as it’s out of the oven so it companies up and is less complicated to portion

22. Garnish with basil chiffonade or chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Baked Ziti is greatest served scorching, straight from the oven, when the cheese continues to be melty and stretchy. Pair it with Garlic Cheese Bread or a slice of focaccia for an entire Italian-style meal.

The richness of the cheese and tomato sauce goes properly with a refreshing inexperienced salad tossed in gentle French dressing. You might choose to pair with salads like Vegetable Salad, Chickpea Salad or Caesar Salad.

For soup lovers, serve with classics like a Tomato Soup or Minestrone Soup. This Tomato Pasta Bake additionally makes a comfy centerpiece for potluck dinners or household gatherings.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for 1 to 2 days. Reheat by masking with foil and putting in a 180°C (350°F) oven till warmed by way of.

You may microwave particular person parts; add a splash of water, milk, or tomato sauce earlier than reheating to maintain it moist.

Dassana’s Cooking Tips

• Cooking Pasta: Cook solely till al dente, because the pasta will proceed to prepare dinner within the oven. Salt the water properly for higher taste.
• Tomatoes & Sauce: Use canned Italian tomatoes for the most effective style. If utilizing recent ones, blanch, peel, and puree to cut back acidity. I additionally make a little bit further sauce so the pasta and cheese by no means dry out whereas baking.
• Vegetables: I exploit mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian model, however you’ll be able to skip them or add zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers.
• Cheese Substitutes: If ricotta isn’t out there, use properly drained cottage cheese or crumbled paneer blended with cream or milk. Parmesan might be swapped with processed cheese or cheddar.
• Baking: Grease the baking dish or unfold a layer of the ready tomato sauce on the bottom. Bake uncovered at 190° C (375° F) for 20 to 25 minutes, or till the cheese has melted and the highest is calmly golden.
• Resting: Allow the baked ziti to relaxation for five to 10 minutes after baking so the layers agency up earlier than serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

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