monzoorskitchen.blospot.com 1yr ago

Monzoor #snacks

Easy Baked Ziti with Ricotta (30-Minute Prep) Creamy, cheesy baked ziti with ricotta, mozzarella, and a robust tomato sauce—prep in 30 minutes for the ultimate weeknight comfort food! 📌 Why This Recipe Wins Family-friendly classic that feeds a crowd. One-pan bake for minimal cleanup. Make-ahead friendly—freezer instructions included. 🛒 Ingredients Ingredient Amount Notes Ziti (or penne) 1 lb / 450 g Any ridged tube pasta works Olive oil 2 Tbsp Extra-virgin preferred Onion, finely chopped 1 medium About 1 cup Garlic, minced 3 cloves ~1 Tbsp Crushed tomatoes 28 oz / 800 g can Fire-roasted for extra depth Tomato paste 2 Tbsp Thickens sauce Italian seasoning 1 ½ tsp Or equal parts oregano & basil Red-pepper flakes (optional) ¼ tsp Adds gentle heat Ricotta cheese 1 cup / 250 g Whole-milk for creaminess Mozzarella, shredded 2 cups / 225 g Divide: 1 cup in mix, 1 cup topping Parmesan, grated ½ cup / 50 g Freshly grated tastes best Fresh basil, chopped ¼ cup Save some for garnish Salt & black pepper to taste Season sauce & pasta water 🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions Boil Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook ziti 1 minute shy of al dente (check package minus 1 min). Drain; do not rinse. Build Sauce Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion 3 min until translucent. Add garlic; cook 30 sec. Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 min to caramelize. Pour in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red-pepper flakes, ½ tsp salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Simmer 8 min. Mix Cheeses In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, half the Parmesan, and half the basil. Season lightly with salt & pepper. Assemble Preheat oven to 190 °C / 375 °F. Add drained ziti to the skillet of sauce; toss to coat. Spread half the sauced pasta in a 23 × 33 cm (9 × 13 in) baking dish. Dollop ricotta mixture evenly. Top with remaining pasta. Top & Bake Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over top. Bake uncovered 20 – 25 min, until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly. Broil 2 min for a golden crust. Garnish & Serve Rest 5 min, then shower with remaining fresh basil. Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp salad. 🔄 Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Stage How-To Prep ahead Assemble completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 h before baking (add 10 min bake time from cold). Freeze Wrap unbaked ziti in two layers of foil; freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then bake as above. Leftovers Cool, store airtight in fridge 3 days. Reheat Microwave single servings 2 min, or bake covered at 175 °C / 350 °F for 15 min. 💡 Tips for Best Results Undercook pasta slightly so it finishes perfectly in the oven. Whole-milk ricotta & low-moisture mozzarella prevent watery bakes. Add ½ lb browned Italian sausage to the sauce for a meaty version. Stir a handful of spinach into hot sauce for stealthy greens.