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Flavorful Baked Ziti Freezer Meal Recipe

Flavorful Baked Ziti Freezer Meal Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 6 reviews

This Flavorful Baked Ziti Freezer Meal combines tender ziti pasta with a rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and a generous blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for preparing ahead of time and baking when needed, this hearty Italian-American casserole offers a comforting, cheesy dish with a hint of spice and fresh basil for garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk, part-skim, or homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 1 1/2 pounds dry ziti pasta

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more if desired)
  • Two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Cheese Mixtures: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. In another bowl or resealable bag, combine shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses and set both mixtures aside.
  2. Cook the Ziti Noodles: Bring about 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt to the boiling water, then add the ziti pasta. Cook for 5-6 minutes until just beginning to soften, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: Using the same pot (quickly dried, no washing needed), heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the reserved pasta cooking water. Add the drained pasta, stirring well to coat the pasta evenly and break up any clumps.
  5. Assemble the Ziti: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop large spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta, leaving some gaps. Spread the remaining pasta mixture over the ricotta dollops. Evenly sprinkle the combined mozzarella and Parmesan cheese mixture over the top.
  6. Bake and Serve: Place the baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet to catch any overflow. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-35 minutes until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil for added flavor. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Be sure not to overcook the pasta in boiling water since it will continue to cook in the oven.
  • Reserve pasta water helps loosen the sauce and bind it to the pasta better.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking; bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
  • For a richer taste, use whole milk ricotta and fresh grated Parmesan rather than pre-grated.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, freezer meal, Italian casserole, cheesy pasta bake, ricotta pasta, mozzarella Parmesan, make-ahead dinner

Find it online: https://reemcook.com/flavorful-baked-ziti-freezer-meal-recipe/