Best 9 Baked Ziti With Special Tomato Sauce Recipes

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Baked ziti with special tomato sauce is a classic Italian-American dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. This hearty and comforting dish features tender ziti pasta smothered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, topped with a blanket of melted cheese. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a showstopper for your next family gathering, baked ziti with special tomato sauce is the perfect choice. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in a culinary delight that will leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

For an Italian classic, try this Baked Ziti recipe from Food Network Kitchen. Tossed in a zesty tomato sauce and oozing with mozzarella, it couldn't be easier.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Olive oil, for greasing
1 pound ziti
Kosher salt
3 1/2 cups Quick Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
1 pound fresh mozzarella, half cut into 1/2-inch cubes and half thinly sliced
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound sweet and/or spicy Italian sausages, casing removed and sausage crumbled
1/4 medium onion, diced (about 3 tablespoons)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes in puree, roughly chopped
Sprig thyme
Sprig basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt generously and boil the pasta until al dente (tender but still slightly firm). Drain.
  • Toss the cooked pasta with the quick tomato sauce, cubed mozzarella, half the Parmesan, all of the black pepper and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Transfer the pasta to the prepared 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 immediately.
  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in 2 teaspoons salt and season with pepper. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Baked ziti is classic Italian-American comfort food! Bake ziti pasta with sausage, tomato sauce, and all kinds of gooey, yummy cheeses. This easy baked ziti recipe is always a hit!

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Dinner     Budget     Casserole     Comfort Food     Freezer-friendly     Make-ahead     Pantry Meal     Casserole     Cheese     Italian     Italian Sausage     Pasta

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound ziti (can sub penne) pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound bulk Italian sausage or ground beef or pork
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or basil), minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 large jar of marinara sauce (about 32 ounces) or make your own tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound of mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
1 heaping cup of ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Cook the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water (for every 2 quarts of water, one tablespoon of salt) to a strong boil. Add the pasta and cook at a rolling boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente-edible but still a little firm to the bite. Drain the pasta through a colander. Toss with a little olive oil so the pasta does not stick together while you make the sauce.
  • Brown the meat: While the water is heating in the previous step, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering hot, add the bulk sausage or ground meat. Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. Brown well. Don't stir that often or it will be more difficult for the meat to brown. If you are using ground beef or pork instead of sausage, sprinkle with a little salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 557 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Sodium 1510 mg, Sugar 9 g, Fat 32 g, ServingSize Serves at least 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CREAMY BAKED ZITI



Creamy Baked Ziti image

Ziti pasta bakes with layers of creamy tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese in an easy and comforting dish that's ready in less than an hour.

Provided by Kraft

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cups ziti pasta, uncooked
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
6 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
¾ cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 (8 ounce) package KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
⅓ cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Remove from pan; drain. Meanwhile, add marinara sauce, tomatoes and cream cheese to same pan; cook on medium heat 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Return pasta to pan; mix well.
  • Layer half the pasta mixture in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella and remaining pasta mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

BAKED ZITI WITH FRESH TOMATOES



Baked Ziti with Fresh Tomatoes image

I prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, so it saves precious moments when we come in after working out in the fields! -Barbara Johnson, Decker, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3 pounds plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 15 tomatoes)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces uncooked ziti
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, salt, basil and pepper. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally., Cook ziti according to package directions; drain. Place in a large bowl. Stir in sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella cheese. , Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 375 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 60mg cholesterol, Sodium 851mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

BAKED ZITI II



Baked Ziti II image

Three cheeses layered with pasta and marinara sauce. This recipe is so easy and so good!

Provided by BUCHKO

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
24 ounces ricotta cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse.
  • In a medium bowl, mix ziti, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg and 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spoon in ziti mixture. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, followed by Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 703.2 calories, Carbohydrate 72.6 g, Cholesterol 113 mg, Fat 28.1 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 38.2 g, SaturatedFat 15.1 g, Sodium 1110.5 mg, Sugar 14.1 g

BAKED ZITI WITH SPECIAL TOMATO SAUCE



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.

BAKED ZITI RECIPE BY TASTY



Baked Ziti Recipe by Tasty image

Supremely saucy and cheesy, baked ziti is a family favorite for a reason! Toss ziti or your favorite tube-shaped pasta with a quick homemade tomato sauce and ricotta-Parmesan mixture, then layer with more ricotta and mozzarella and bake until bubbling and delicious.

Provided by Betsy Carter

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

½ tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup tomato paste
1 can whole peeled tomato
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for boiling
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 package ziti or tubular pasta of choice
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, divided
2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
fresh basil, thinly sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish with the butter.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat the aromatics, until the tomato paste is deep brick-red, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the whole tomatoes and their juices, using a potato masher or your hands to crush them into the sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, 20 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of ricotta, the Parmesan, remaining teaspoon of salt, and remaining teaspoon of pepper to a medium bowl and stir to combine.
  • Reserve 2 cups of tomato sauce in a bowl, then add the ricotta-Parmesan mixture to the remaining tomato sauce in the pot and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • Add the drained pasta tomato-ricotta sauce and stir until well coated.
  • Add half of the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover with 1 cup of the reserved tomato sauce, ¾ cup of the mozzarella, and ½ cup of the remaining ricotta. Add the remaining pasta, then repeat with the remaining cup of tomato sauce, ¾ cup of mozzarella, and ½ cup of ricotta.
  • Bake until the mozzarella is golden brown and the tomato sauce is bubbling, 25-30 minutes.
  • Garnish with the basil before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 26 grams, Sugar 7 grams

BAKED ZITI PLUS



Baked Ziti Plus image

Standard baked ziti with sausage, peppers, and onions added to the sauce. There may be more pasta and sauce that cannot fit into the pans. That's ok, it tastes delicious without baking as well!

Provided by Mike Connors

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 4h15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
2 pounds ground beef
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 pounds Italian link sausage
2 green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 large onion, sliced
2 (16 ounce) packages rigatoni
2 (16 ounce) packages mozzarella cheese
1 (24 ounce) carton ricotta cheese

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium-low heat; cook and stir garlic in the hot oil until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Stir ground beef into garlic. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato puree to ground beef mixture; season with salt and pepper. Cover stockpot and simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until flavors have blended, about 2 hours.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage links in the hot skillet until browned and not longer pink in the center, 10 to 15 minutes; drain and discard grease. Slice sausages into 1/4-inch rounds. Stir sausage, green bell pepper, and onion into the simmering tomato sauce; cook, stirring occasionally until bell pepper and onion are softened, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and return rigatoni to pot.
  • Dice about 3/4 the mozzarella into 1/8-inch cubes. Mix cubed mozzarella with ricotta cheese in a bowl. Stir cheese mixture into cooked rigatoni until mozzarella cheese begins to melt. Pour rigatoni-cheese mixture into 2 large casserole dishes; add tomato-meat sauce. Toss well.
  • Slice the remaining mozzarella cheese and arrange on top of rigatoni mixtures.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until mozzarella cheese is melted and browned, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 782.5 calories, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 117.8 mg, Fat 40.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 48.5 g, SaturatedFat 17.5 g, Sodium 1485 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

BAKED ZITI WITH TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND SAUSAGE



Baked Ziti With Tomato, Mozzarella and Sausage image

I was horrified one night to discover I had misplaced this recipe, and had to go without. So, here it is for safekeeping. Recipe originally from Fine Cooking. Although it claims to serve four, it seems to make an incredible amount. I freeze half of what it makes before baking, to be enjoyed another evening.

Provided by skat5762

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

olive oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, cut into small dice
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 lbs hot Italian sausage, removed from its casing and crumbled
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 (35 ounce) can plum tomatoes, chopped, with their juice
4 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh marjoram (from about 6 large sprigs) or 1/4 cup oregano (from about 6 large sprigs)
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1 cup freshly grated mild pecorino cheese
1 pinch nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1 lb ziti pasta
1/2-1 lb mozzarella cheese, preferably fresh, cut into small cubes

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Lightly oil a large, shallow baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • In a large skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and crumbled sausage; saute until the sausage begins to brown.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • If the sausage renders a lot of fat, pour most of it off leaving a little to add flavor to the sauce.
  • Add the red wine; boil until it is almost gone.
  • Add the tomatoes with all of their juices and cook, uncovered, at a lively simmer for about 10 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly.
  • Add the marjoram or oregano and taste for seasoning.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together ricotta, about half the grated pecorino, the nutmeg, and the parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente.
  • Drain well and toss it with the ricotta mixture until well coated.
  • Add the sausage and sauce and mix again.
  • Add the mozzarella and toss gently.
  • Pour everything into the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining Pecorino on top.
  • Bake uncovered until lightly browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes.
  • Serve right away.

Tips:

  • Use a combination of cheeses for a richer flavor. Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta are all classic choices, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like Gruyère, Asiago, or Fontina.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for baked ziti. If you overcook it, it will become mushy and absorb too much of the sauce.
  • Use a flavorful tomato sauce. A good tomato sauce is the key to a great baked ziti. You can use a store-bought sauce, but it's even better to make your own. Look for a sauce that is thick and flavorful, with a balance of sweetness and acidity.
  • Layer the ingredients carefully. When you're assembling the baked ziti, be sure to layer the ingredients carefully. Start with a layer of sauce, then add the pasta, then the cheese, and so on. This will help to ensure that the dish is evenly cooked and that all of the flavors meld together.
  • Bake the ziti until it's bubbly and golden brown. The baked ziti is ready when it's bubbly and golden brown on top. This usually takes about 30 minutes, but it may vary depending on your oven.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a classic Italian casserole that is perfect for a family meal. It's easy to make, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. With its rich, flavorful sauce, tender pasta, and melted cheese, baked ziti is a dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a delicious and comforting meal, give baked ziti a try.

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