BAKED ZITI NAPOLITANO Recipe
Baked Ziti Napoletano is a hearty Italian pasta dish made with ziti, a type of tubular pasta, layered with cheeses and sauce. This version features a creamy ricotta and heavy cream mixture, topped with mozzarella and a rich marinara sauce, giving it a luscious texture and savory flavor. Here's how to prepare it at home.
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Ingredients
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Main Ingredients
Method
Preparation Steps
Cook the Pasta
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, half of the mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and chopped basil. Mix until well combined.
Mix with Marinara
In another bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with Vinnie's marinara sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Combine Ingredients
Layer half of the ziti and marinara mixture in a greased baking dish. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture on top, then layer the remaining ziti on top of that.
Add Toppings
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the ziti.
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
