Baked Ziti

Ingredients
1/2 pound ziti pasta
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 cloves garlic, crushed
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1/3 cup fresh, chopped basil
1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
2/3 cup grated, fat-free mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Bring 1/2 gallon of salted water to boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more, season with salt and pepper, and brown.

4. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning.

5. In a large mixing bowl, toss the ziti, sauce, basil and ricotta cheese together. Transfer to a casserole dish and sprinkle with the grated cheeses. (This can be made ahead and stored unbaked in the refrigerator up to 2 days, or it can be frozen.)

6. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and brown and the dish is thoroughly heated, about 15 to 20 minutes; bake longer if the dish has been refrigerated.

This recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Baked Ziti [Recipe Brought to you by FoodFit]

Ziti with Basil and Mozzarella

Ziti alla Caprese

Ingredients:
1 cup Basil leaves – shredded
4 cups Lidia’s Flavors of Italy Tomato and Basil Sauce
1 lb. Ziti
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1 lb. Bocconcini Mozzarella di Bufala – cut in half
(If using regular mozzarella, cut in 1” cubes

Directions: In a skillet bring Lidia’s Flavors of Italy Tomato and Basil Sauce to a boil.

While the sauce is heating, cook the ziti in 5 quarts of salted boiling water until al dente (tender but still firm), about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Stir in the basil, mozzarella and grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, toss well, and serve immediately.

Ziti with Basil and Mozzarella

Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti

1 pound ziti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano (optional)
1 26-ounce jar pasta sauce
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmesan
1 15-ounce container ricotta
1 10-ounce box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove liquid
1 cup grated mozzarella

Cook the ziti according to the package instructions.

Heat oven to 400° F.

In a large pot, over medium-low heat, heat the oil. Add the onion, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano (if using) and cook for 2 minutes. Add the pasta sauce and heat for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add the Parmesan, ricotta, and spinach and toss again. Spread the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or individual ramekins and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Bake until the mozzarella melts, about 15 minutes.

Tip: If you prefer, substitute chopped broccoli for the spinach.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti : Real Simple