Baked Ziti

April 7, 2021 12:00 PM CDT
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Baked Ziti

by Emily C.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Description:
A classic recipe for the whole family
Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 cups whole milk, slightly warmed
  • 2 1/2 cups grated parmesan, divided
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper To Taste
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 1 oz pancetta, finely chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can (28oz) and 1 can (14oz) whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped, fresh basil
  • 1lb ziti, penne, or rigatoni
  • 1lb fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Steps:
  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. 2 Heat butter in medium sauce pan over medium heat until foamy. Sprinkle flour over and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
  3. 3 Gradually whisk in warm milk
  4. 4 Bring mixture to a boil for 8-10 minutes, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking often until sauce is thickened to the consistency of heavy cream and no longer feels grainy between your fingers
  5. 5 Remove from heat and add 2 cups of parmesan, whisking until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Set aside.
  6. 6 Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high.
  7. 7 Cook pancetta for 2 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown.
  8. 8 Add onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper.
  9. 9 Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until onion is golden and soft.
  10. 10 Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until slightly darkened.
  11. 11 Add whole peeled tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, season with salt and pepper.
  12. 12 Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring often until slightly reduced and flavors have melded.
  13. 13 Let cook slightly and then transfer to a blender; pulse until mostly smooth.
  14. 14 Stirl basil and season with salt and pepper.
  15. 15 Cook pasta for about 5 minutes in large pot of boiling salted water, stirring until very al dente, drain
  16. 16 Transfer milk sauce into a large bowl, add pasta and mozzarella and toss to combine
  17. 17 Add all but 1 cup tomato sauce and gently fold mixture
  18. 18 Transfer cooked pasta to baking dish, add remaining tomato sauce and scatter remaining parmesan over pasta.
  19. 19 Bake for 15-20 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and sauce is bubbling around the edges
  20. 20 Heat broiler. Broil for about 4 minutes until pasta and cheese are dark brown in spots.
  21. 21 Let pasta sit for 5 minutes before serving.