Italian Ziti Medley Recipes

SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground turkey with chopped onions.
• Once meat is fully cooked, drain well.
• Mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Pour in spaghetti sauce and stir all together until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg whites, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
• Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or line with slow cooker liner.
• Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce in bottom of slow cooker.
• On top of sauce, layer half the noodles, half the cheese mixture, and another 1 1/2 cups of sauce. Repeat the layers twice ending with sauce.
• Cook on high for 30 minutes, and then switch to low for 2-3 hours or until noodles are tender and Ziti is cooked through.
• 10 minutes before serving, top Ziti with remaining mozzarella cheese and continue cooking until melted.

THE BEST BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Cut down the length of each sausage with a sharp knife. Remove and discard casings.
• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over high heat. Add sausages and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up with a spatula, until the sausage begins to brown, and the onion turns translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add oregano, thyme, and rosemary and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in marinara sauce. Pour 1 cup water into each jar to rinse out remaining sauce; add to the saucepan. Stir together and bring sauce to a simmer.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Turn off heat and reserve until needed. Before using, skim any excess fat that rises to the surface.
• While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 or 2 minutes less than the directions on the package call for, about 8 minutes. Drain well and transfer into a large mixing bowl.
• Carefully add the meat sauce and stir until thoroughly combined. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large 9x15-inch or 9x13-inch casserole dish with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to the prepared dish, then use a spatula to even out into a uniform layer. Top with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and then 1/2 of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese, being sure to distribute evenly. Top with the rest of the pasta and sauce mixture and give the pan a little shake to settle the sauce. Repeat the cheese application.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the casserole is piping hot, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Top with parsley.

ITALIAN ZITI MEDLEY

Steps:

• In a 4 quart saucepan, brown sausage, remove and drain.
• Melt butter and cook mushrooms, peppers and onion until tender, but not brown. Blend flour into vegetable mix; gradually stir in mil. Cook stirring constantly over medium low heat until mixture boils. Boil and stir one minute.
• Blend in 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese and pepper until cheeses are melted and mix is smooth.
• Cook Ziti and drain.
• Stir hot cooked ziti and sausage into vegetable cheese mixture. Pour into a butter 2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
• Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.