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 Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- 2 Heat butter in medium sauce pan over medium heat until foamy. Sprinkle flour over and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
- 3 Gradually whisk in warm milk
- 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 Remove from heat and add 2 cups of parmesan, whisking until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Set aside.
- 6 Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high.
- 7 Cook pancetta for 2 minutes, stirring often, until golden brown.
- 8 Add onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper.
- 9 Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until onion is golden and soft.
- 10 Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until slightly darkened.
- 11 Add whole peeled tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, season with salt and pepper.
- 12 Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring often until slightly reduced and flavors have melded.
- 13 Let cook slightly and then transfer to a blender; pulse until mostly smooth.
- 14 Stirl basil and season with salt and pepper.
- 15 Cook pasta for about 5 minutes in large pot of boiling salted water, stirring until very al dente, drain
- 16 Transfer milk sauce into a large bowl, add pasta and mozzarella and toss to combine
- 17 Add all but 1 cup tomato sauce and gently fold mixture
- 18 Transfer cooked pasta to baking dish, add remaining tomato sauce and scatter remaining parmesan over pasta.
- 19 Bake for 15-20 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and sauce is bubbling around the edges
- 20 Heat broiler. Broil for about 4 minutes until pasta and cheese are dark brown in spots.
- 21 Let pasta sit for 5 minutes before serving.