Ziti Al Forno from the Sopranos Family Cookbook
Indulge in the comforting, old-school Italian-American flavors of *Ziti Al Forno* straight from the pages of *The Sopranos Family Cookbook*. This baked ziti recipe is a hearty, layered masterpiece featuring tender ziti pasta tossed in a robust, savory tomato sauce enriched with Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, and a medley of classic herbs like oregano and basil. Creamy ricotta cheese and a decadent blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan create the ultimate cheesy topping, while a touch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this dish is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or savoring as a family dinner. Pair it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for an unforgettable Italian feast.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Remove the casings from the Italian sausage and crumble the sausage into the pan. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, half of the sauce, and the ricotta cheese. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread a thin layer of the remaining sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the ziti mixture into the dish, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining ziti and mozzarella.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the dish cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley (if using) and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4437 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 220.2 g | 282% | |
| Saturated Fat | 88.9 g | 444% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 634 mg | 211% | |
| Sodium | 8810 mg | 383% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 425.6 g | 155% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.4 g | 144% | |
| Total Sugars | 54.8 g | ||
| Protein | 225.0 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 3436 mg | 264% | |
| Iron | 31.6 mg | 176% | |
| Potassium | 3609 mg | 77% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
