Zucchini Baked Ziti Recipes

MELTED ZUCCHINI BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to reserve the ½ cup of the pasta water after cooking!
• Heat a large skillet (you can do an oven safe one if you don't want to transfer) over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the zucchini, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring often, until the zucchini cook down and sort of melt into the pan. Stir in the red pepper flakes.
• Stir in the reserved pasta water and the pesto. Stir in the fresh basil. By this time the pasta should be finished. You can either add everything to a baking dish or add it all to the skillet if it's large enough. Toss the pasta with the zucchini pesto mixture - whether it's in the dish or skillet.
• Add the ricotta cheese in scoops throughout the pasta. Toss it together until the ricotta coats most of the pasta. Add the fresh mozzarella - a few slices in the noodles and a few on top too.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, just until the cheese melts everything comes together. Remove and serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan and fresh basil for garnish.

ZUCCHINI BAKED ZITI RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add frozen zucchini spirals.
• Cover and let cook, 6 minutes.
• Remove the lid and flip. Season with salt and pepper and cook an additional 3 minutes.
• Drain the zucchini in a mesh sieve.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium sauce pan over medium high heat.
• Add the onion and ground beef. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook until browned, about 6 minutes.
• Mix in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
• Drain the fat from the ground beef and mix in the marinera sauce.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes.
• Once meat sauce is cooked, start building your baked ziti dish.
• Start with half of the cooked zucchini spirals in an even layer in the prepared casserole dish.
• Spread half of the sauce over the zucchini and sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzerella and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
• Repeat with reamining zucchini, sauce, and cheese.
• Sprinkle baked ziti with parmesan cheese.
• Place casserole in oven and bake, uncovered for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling around the edges.

ZITI WITH ROASTED ZUCCHINI AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Toss zucchini, shallots, 5 tablespoons oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper in a bowl until coated. Spread on rimmed baking sheets and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast vegetables in the preheated oven, turning occasionally, until tender, about 30 minutes.
• While vegetables are roasting, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking water.
• Toss cooked pasta with 1 tablespoon oil. Transfer to a large pot. Add roasted vegetables, 1/4 cup cooking water, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; stir over medium heat until heated through. Add 3/4 cup basil and Parmesan cheese. Toss, adding remaining cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dry. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining basil sprinkled on top.

ZUCCHINI BAKED ZITI

Steps:

• Boil water and cook the ziti according to package directions.
• While it is cooking, follow next steps.
• When it is done, drain and set aside in large bowl (or pot).
• Slice the zucchini.
• In a skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil and fry the zucchini until browned on both sides.
• Take them out of the pan and drain on paper towels.
• In a saucepan, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil.
• Add the onion and cook until translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, salt and pepper.
• Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Pour into large bowl with the drained ziti.
• Rub two shallow baking pans with olive oil.
• In the first pan, put 1/4 of the ziti, then 1/4 of the zucchini.
• Dot with butter, add 1/4 of the mozzarella and then 1/4 of the Parmesan.
• Repeat the layers in that pan.
• Repeat above steps for second pan.
• Bake pans in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes until the top is brown and crusty.
• OR BAKE ONE, FREEZE ONE!
• OR FREEZE BOTH: Cover the other pan tightly with aluminum foil and freeze.
• Defrost before baking.