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The Ultimate Comfort Food: Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

Introduction 

Few dishes embody the soul-warming essence of Italian-American cuisine like baked ziti. With its layers of tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, gooey melted cheese, and crispy golden topping, this crowd-pleasing casserole is the epitome of comfort food. Paired with buttery, garlicky bread fresh from the oven, baked ziti transforms a simple weeknight meal into a feast worthy of Sunday supper.

A Dish Steeped in Italian-American Tradition

Baked ziti’s origins reflect the ingenuity of immigrant home cooks:

• Southern Italian Roots: Inspired by pasta al forno (baked pasta dishes from Naples and Sicily)
• 1950s America: Popularized by Italian-American families as an affordable, filling meal
• Modern Staple: A fixture at potlucks, family gatherings, and red-sauce joints nationwide

Unlike lasagna, which requires careful layering, baked ziti is wonderfully forgiving—tossing pasta with sauce and cheese before baking ensures every bite is packed with flavor. The addition of garlic bread, with its crisp crust and aromatic butter, turns this into a complete, irresistible meal.

Why Baked Ziti Stands Out

This dish wins hearts because of its:

1. Textural Harmony: Al dente pasta, creamy ricotta, and crispy cheese topping
2. Flavor Depth: Tangy tomato sauce, savory herbs, and umami-rich cheeses
3. Feeding a Crowd: Easily scalable for parties or leftovers
4. Make-Ahead Ease: Assemble ahead and bake when needed

The Science Behind Perfect Baked Ziti

Mastering this dish requires understanding a few key principles:

1. Pasta Preparation

• Undercook the ziti: It will finish cooking in the oven
• Rinse after boiling: Removes excess starch to prevent clumping

2. Sauce Consistency

• Thick enough to coat pasta without making it soggy
• Season generously: Baking mellows flavors

3. Cheese Selection

• Mozzarella for stretch
• Ricotta for creaminess
• Parmesan for salty depth

4. Baking Technique

• High heat (400°F/200°C) ensures a bubbly, golden top
• Rest before serving: Lets layers set for cleaner slices

Why This Recipe Works

After testing countless versions, this recipe shines because it:
✔ Uses whole-milk ricotta for extra richness
✔ Balances tomato sauce with herbs for depth
✔ Includes a crispy breadcrumb topping for texture
✔ Provides garlic bread secrets for maximum flavor

Creative Variations

While the classic version is unbeatable, try these twists:

• Meat Lover’s: Add Italian sausage or ground beef
• Vegetarian: Load up with roasted veggies
• Spicy: Kick it up with red pepper flakes
• White Sauce: Swap tomato for béchamel

Now, let’s make the ultimate baked ziti with garlic bread. ownthatcrown.com

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Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread Recipe

For the Zitis:

• • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Wooden Spoon

• For the Garlic Bread:
  • Baking Sheet
  • Small Bowl
  • Pastry Brush

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Ingredients

(Serves 6-8)

Baked Ziti

• 1 lb (450g) ziti or penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups (700ml) marinara sauce (homemade or jarred)
• 15 oz (425g) whole-milk ricotta
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan, divided
• 2 cups (225g) shredded mozzarella, divided
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh basil
• ½ cup (30g) panko breadcrumbs

Garlic Bread

• 1 French baguette
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• ¼ tsp salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Boil ziti in salted water 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and rinse.

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

1. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, ¼ cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, oregano, and pepper.

3. Assemble the Ziti

1. Toss pasta with olive oil and marinara sauce.
2. Layer half in the baking dish.
3. Spread ricotta mixture evenly over pasta.
4. Top with remaining pasta, then sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.

4. Bake

1. Cover with foil; bake 20 mins.
2. Uncover; bake 10-15 mins until bubbly and golden.

5. Make Garlic Bread

1. Mix butter, garlic, parsley, and salt.
2. Slice baguette; spread butter mixture.
3. Bake 8-10 mins alongside ziti until crispy.

6. Serve

• Garnish ziti with fresh basil.
• Slice garlic bread; serve warm.

Expert Tips

• Pasta hack: Toss with a little sauce to prevent sticking
• Crispier topping: Broil 1-2 mins at the end
• Storage: Keeps refrigerated 3 days or frozen 1 month

Serving Suggestions

🥗 Pair with: Caesar salad + red wine
🌶 Spice it up: Add chili flakes to the garlic butter

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Why This Meal is Unbeatable

Baked ziti with garlic bread is the ultimate comfort duo—creamy, cheesy pasta meets crispy, garlicky bread for a meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, it’s a dish that always delivers.

Pro Tip: Let the ziti rest 10 minutes before serving for cleaner slices. ownthatcrown.com