Best 3 Mamma Marias Baked Ziti Pasta Al Forno Recipes

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In search of a delectable baked pasta dish that embodies the essence of Italian home cooking? Mamma Maria's Baked Ziti Pasta al Forno stands as a culinary masterpiece, enticing taste buds with its rich flavors and comforting textures. This classic recipe, passed down through generations, promises an explosion of flavors, combining succulent ziti pasta, savory tomato sauce, layers of melted cheeses, and a crispy, golden-brown crust. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey as we unveil the secrets behind Mamma Maria's iconic baked ziti pasta al forno.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NONNA'S BAKED ZITI - PASTA AL FORNO



Nonna's Baked Ziti - Pasta al Forno image

Nonna Romana's Baked Ziti or Pasta al Forno, is the perfect dish for a Sunday Dinner, a festivity or when you have company over.

Provided by rossella rago

Yield 4 Person(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

ground beef
crushed tomatoes
cloves garlic, chopped
small onion, chopped
bay leaves
fresh basil leaves
red wine
peperoncino
extra virgin olive oil
salt
ziti
grated Parmigiano cheese
fresh mozzarella, shredded
fresh mozzarella, cubed

Steps:

  • Prepare the Sauce: In a sauce pan, add the extra virgin olive oil, the onion, the garlic, the bay leaves, the peperoncino and the salt. Let everything saute until the garlic turns golden and the onion is translucent. Add the ground meat and brake it up so that it browns uniformly. Once the meat has browned, add the wine and let it evaporate. Add the chopped tomatoes and the basil. Let the sauce cook for 30 mins. Assemble the Dish: Pre-heat the oven at 450F Cook the ziti until they are half way done. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Take a baking pan and add 4 scoops of sauce at the bottom. Add half of the pasta and spread it evenly. Add another light coating of sauce followed by a generous sprinkle of cheese, followed by the shredded mozzarella. Add the other half of the ziti. Cover the ziti with a coating of sauce and Parmigiano cheese. Bake the dish for 20 mins. Remove from the oven, add the cubed mozzarella and continue baking for another 10 mins. Let the dish rest for about 15 mins. and serve.

ZITI AL FORNO (FROM THE SOPRANOS FAMILY COOKBOOK)



Ziti Al Forno (From the Sopranos Family Cookbook) image

It's from the sopranos cookbook but I use my own Recipe #73937 and it is the best food in the world there aren't words to describe it!

Provided by Bri22

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ziti pasta, cooked
salt
pasta sauce
meatballs (Sunday Gravy (Real Italian Spaghetti Sauce)and Meatballs)
1 cup freshly grated romano cheese or 1 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese (I use cottage cheese)
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small pieces
grated cheese, to sprinkle on top

Steps:

  • Put all the ziti in a large bowl.
  • Toss ziti with 3 cups of the gravy and half of the grated cheese.
  • Spoon half of the ziti into a casserole dish.
  • Spread the ricotta over the top of the ziti.
  • Sprinkle with the mozzarella and rest of grated cheese.
  • Pour on 1 cup of sauce.
  • Top with remaining ziti and rest of sauce (it will be almost overflowing) sprinkle with more grated cheese.
  • Bake covered with foil for 45 minutes and then uncovered for 15 minutes.
  • Let stand 15 minutes.
  • Tell me immediately how it was!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195.7, Fat 7, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 24.6, Sodium 167.6, Carbohydrate 22.2, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 1, Protein 10.3

BAKED ZITI (ZITI AL FORNO)



Baked Ziti (Ziti Al Forno) image

This classic Italian casserole with ziti macaroni, tiny meatballs and homemade sauce is easy to make and delicious. The sauce takes 1 1/2 hours to reduce so to save time you can make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. I like to top it with fresh strips of basil !

Provided by Mamablowfish

Categories     Meat

Time 2h30m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 26

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 lb mushroom, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (16 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style tomatoes
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 egg
3/4 cup soft breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 dash each of pepper and ground nutmeg
1/2 cup tomato sauce (above recipe)
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta or 1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta
salt water
1 lb mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Sauce.
  • Melt butter and oil in lg. pan over medium heat.
  • Add onion and mushrooms and cook until soft.
  • Add garlic, tomato puree, tomatoes (break up with a spoon) and their liquid, wine, salt, bay leaf, oregano, pepper and parsley: bring to a boil.
  • Cover, reduce heat and simmer until sauce is reduced to about 5 cups (about 1 1/2 hours). Remove bay leaf.
  • Meatballs.
  • Melt 1/2 tbsp each butter and oil in large frying pan over medium heat.
  • Add onion and cook until lightly browned: transfter to mixing bowl and cool.
  • Beat in egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and 1/2 cup sauce.
  • Add ground beef and mix lightly until blended.
  • Shape into 1 inch meatballs and in same pan onion were cooked in heat remaining butter and oil over medium heat.
  • Brown meatballs about half at a time.
  • Remove when brown and add to sauce.
  • Pasta.
  • Cook ziti in lg. pot in salted water to al dente per directions of package.
  • Drain well and combine with meatball mixture.
  • Spread in a shallow 4 quart casserole.
  • Cover evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered in 350 oven for 30-35 minutes and cheese is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 758, Fat 35.9, SaturatedFat 16.8, Cholesterol 147.3, Sodium 1634.1, Carbohydrate 63.2, Fiber 5, Sugar 11.4, Protein 43.5

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the goal, so cook it according to the package directions.
  • Use a good quality cheese. A sharp cheddar or Parmesan cheese will give the dish a rich, cheesy flavor.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many ways to make baked ziti, so feel free to add your own personal touches.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its cheesy, flavorful sauce and tender pasta, it's a perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a special dish for a party, baked ziti is sure to be a hit.

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