BAKED ZITI WITH SPECIAL TOMATO SAUCE

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Baked Ziti With Special Tomato Sauce image

This sauce has a secret ingredient, grape or currant jelly, that's right, jelly! I use the unsweetened kind, I find the fruit takes the acidity out of the tomatoes.

Provided by Manami

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h8m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 lb dried ziti pasta
kosher salt
3 1/2 cups quick tomato sauce
1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 pinch red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed and crumbled
1/2 lb hot Italian sausage, casing removed and crumbled
1/2 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3 1/2 cups canned tomatoes (whole, peeled in puree & roughly chopped)
italian seasoning
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 teaspoons kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup grape jelly (unsweetened) or 1/2 cup currant jelly (unsweetened)

Steps:

  • QUICK TOMATO SAUCE:
  • Make this first; heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Cook the sausages until begining to brown, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more.
  • Add the tomatoes, thyme and jelly or preserves and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and sicard the sprig of thyme.
  • Stir in the seasoning and season with pepper, to taste.
  • Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 dayse or freeze up to 2 months. The yield is 5 cups.
  • ZITI:.
  • Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  • Cook the ziti according to pkg directions.
  • Drain.
  • Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, cubed mozzarella, half of the Parmesan cheese, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
  • Transfer the pasta to an oiled 9x13" baking dish.
  • Cover the top of the pasta with the sliced mozzarella, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
  • Bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes.
  • Serve at once.

Ashley Revouls
[email protected]

This recipe was just okay. I've had better baked ziti before.


Gabar Israel
[email protected]

I followed the recipe exactly, but my ziti came out dry. I'm not sure why.


Cedric Mukasa
[email protected]

This recipe was too cheesy for my taste. I think I'll use less cheese next time.


Sandaya Sepalika
[email protected]

I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my sauce turned out bland. I think I might have added too much water.


Abdulwahab khan
[email protected]

This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The special tomato sauce is amazing.


Paris Darnell
[email protected]

I made this recipe for a party and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it!


Alen Nyosh
[email protected]

This is the best baked ziti recipe I've ever tried. It's so flavorful and delicious.


felix ogo-oluwa
[email protected]

I'm not a fan of ricotta cheese, but I loved it in this recipe. It added a nice creaminess to the dish.


Julian Dickson
[email protected]

This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and it's always a crowd pleaser.


Alrael Blocker
[email protected]

I love how cheesy this dish is. It's the perfect comfort food for a cold night.


Franklin Ochiagha
[email protected]

This recipe is a keeper! I've made it several times and it's always a hit. The sauce is so good that I could drink it.


Chris Rauner
[email protected]

The special tomato sauce is what really makes this dish. It's so flavorful and rich. I could eat it on anything.


Ando Emeh
[email protected]

This was so easy to make and it turned out great! I used whole wheat ziti and it was still delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


dhanwantari pharmacy
[email protected]

I'm not a huge fan of ziti, but this recipe changed my mind. The combination of the special tomato sauce and the cheese was perfect. I'll definitely be making this again.


Rocky Wedge
[email protected]

This baked ziti recipe was a hit with my family! The special tomato sauce was flavorful and delicious, and the ziti was cooked perfectly. I will definitely be making this again.