Mama's Baked Ziti is a classic Italian dish that is loved by many. With its rich, hearty flavors and comforting aroma, it is no surprise that this dish is a staple in many households. If you've ever dined at East Side Mario's, then you know that their Mama's Baked Ziti is something special. Luckily, you don't have to go to the restaurant to enjoy this delicious meal. With this copycat recipe, you can recreate East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
Fresh and Simple Ingredients for a Delicious Dish
One of the things that makes East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti stand out is the simplicity of its ingredients. The key to making this dish taste like the restaurant version is to use high-quality and fresh ingredients. Ground beef, Italian sausage, and ricotta cheese are the stars of this dish, providing a rich and meaty flavor. Ziti pasta is the perfect choice for this recipe, as its shape allows for the sauce to cling onto it. Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste provide the base for the sauce, while garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning add depth and flavor. Mozzarella cheese is the finishing touch, giving this dish its signature ooey-gooey cheesy goodness.
Make It Your Own
The best part about making a copycat recipe is that you can put your own spin on it. If you're a fan of veggies, feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce. For a spicier kick, you can add red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage. You can also experiment with different types of cheeses, such as parmesan or pecorino romano, to add a unique flavor to the dish. No matter how you make it, the result will be a delicious and satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
The Perfect Accompaniment
Mama's Baked Ziti is a hearty and filling dish, but it's always nice to have something on the side. A crisp Caesar salad or some garlic bread are the perfect accompaniments to this dish. You can also pair it with a glass of red wine to enhance the flavors and create a true Italian dining experience.
Instructions
Step by Step Guide to Recreating East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti
Now that you have your ingredients ready, it's time to get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make your very own Mama's Baked Ziti:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven later on.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the garlic and onion to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer half of the cooked ziti on top of the sauce.
- Spread the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the ziti.
- Add another layer of the meat sauce on top of the ricotta cheese.
- Top with the remaining ziti and meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade version of East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti!
If you're craving East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti but can't make it to the restaurant, this copycat recipe is the perfect solution. With fresh and simple ingredients, the ability to add your own twist, and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for the recipe. So go ahead and give it a try – Mama would be proud!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
yield: 4
total time: 60 minutes
4.4 Stars (222 reviews)
View Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups macaroni uncooked
- 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- pepper to taste, I use about a teaspoon
- 4 tablespoons margarine
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
Nutrition
- Calories : 750 calories
- Carbohydrate : 59 grams
- Cholesterol : 95 milligrams
- Fat : 42 grams
- Fiber : 3 grams
- Protein : 33 grams
- SaturatedFat : 21 grams
- Sodium : 1400 milligrams
- Sugar : 7 grams
- TransFat : 2 grams
Recipe Direction
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FAQs
well, lasagna noodles! The noodles are stacked in a baking dish with cheese and sauce between each layer. Baked ziti, however, uses ziti noodles that are tossed with sauce and cheese. There's still some layering involved but only a little so it comes together quicker and easier than lasagna.
Why is my baked ziti watery? ›
Oftentimes, baked ziti can end up watery if the tomato sauce isn't thick enough. Luckily this recipe calls for the tomato sauce to simmer on the stove along with the ground beef and onion. Doing this will help to get rid of some of the extra water in the sauce.
Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese? ›
Ricotta cheese – It creates a creamy layer in the center of the baked ziti. For the best texture, make sure to use whole milk ricotta in this recipe.
Should I cook baked ziti covered or uncovered? ›
Bake, uncovered, 350°F until lightly browned and bubbly, 60 to 70 minutes. Cover with foil if the top browns before the inside is fully heated. Freezing and reheating a baked ziti: Bake, covered with foil, at 350°F. (Make sure you remove any plastic wrap first.)
What is a substitute for ricotta cheese in baked ziti? ›
Cottage cheese: As far as ricotta substitutes go, light and mild cottage cheese is your best bet. In fact, some people prefer to use cottage cheese because it has a similar flavor and fewer calories.
Do they eat baked ziti in Italy? ›
Baked Ziti is a popular Italian-American dish that is not commonly found in Italy. It is a casserole-style pasta that typically consists of ziti pasta, tomato sauce, cheese (usually a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan), and added ingredients like meat or vegetables.
How do you keep baked ziti from drying out? ›
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil in order to keep all the moisture. This will keep the pasta from drying out. Another tip is to add around ¼ cup of water to the dish to help prevent a dried out baked ziti.
How do you fix mushy baked ziti? ›
Instead of chucking your mushy pasta into the nearest bin, simply adjust your stove's flame to medium and warm up a sauté pan. Lightly coat the pan with your choice of cooking oil or butter, then slide the soggy noodles into the pan and lightly stir until the pasta is browned in places.
How do I make ziti not dry? ›
Layering is important (but easy!)
Layer half the mozzarella into the pasta and reserve half for the top. It bakes up golden-brown — the hallmark of a good pasta casserole. Make sure there is enough sauce to use as a layer at the top, under the mozzarella. This will insulate the pasta and keep it from drying out.
What do Italians use instead of ricotta in lasagna? ›
I like using béchamel sauce instead of ricotta because it holds the mouthwatering lasagna layers together and gives the dish an overall creamy texture. Using béchamel is also the authentic Italian way to make lasagna.
- Cottage Cheese. Cottage cheese is a good replacement for ricotta cheese in savory recipes. ...
- Cream Cheese. Cream cheese makes an especially good ricotta cheese replacement in many dessert recipes and sweet-tasting spreads. ...
- Mascarpone. ...
- Greek Yogurt. ...
- Queso Fresco. ...
- Sour Cream. ...
- Fresh Goat Cheese. ...
- Feta Cheese.
For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.
Can I prep Baked Ziti the night before? ›
Yes, the dish can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance. Bake, covered tightly with aluminum foil, in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 25 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the pasta is hot throughout.
Should you undercook ziti before baking? ›
(You want to undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue to cook in the oven. A good way to do this is cook it 2 minutes less than you normally would if preparing it al dente.) Reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, drain pasta and rinse with cool water; set aside while the tomato sauce finishes cooking.
What goes well with Baked Ziti? ›
Plus, they're usually pretty quick to make, so serving vegetables is one of the best ways to get dinner done and on the table!
- Asparagus casserole with Ritz crackers.
- Baked zucchini.
- Broccoli with lemon juice.
- Caprese salad.
- Fresh greens salad with cherry tomatoes and bell pepper.
- Green bean casserole.
- Haricots verts.
Baked Ziti has the least sugar per 100 grams. Awesome Lasagna has the most fiber per 100 grams. Baked Ziti has the most protein per 100 grams.
What's the difference between lasagna and baked pasta? ›
Lasagna and baked pasta are both baked Italian dishes, but they have some key differences: Noodles: Lasagna typically uses wide, flat lasagna noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. Baked pasta can use various types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.
What is the difference between baked ziti and baked penne pasta? ›
While penne and ziti are very similar kinds of pasta, there are a few key differences you should remember when you're cooking with them. Penne is a little larger than ziti, and can also come in textured versions. Ziti has straight edges and is a little smaller than penne, which has pointed edges.
What makes ziti different? ›
There is one main difference between traditional ziti and penne pastas. While both cuts are slender tube shapes, ziti has straight-cut ends, making it look like a short straw. Penne comes in smooth and ridged varieties, but always feature angled ends (cut in a diagonal line).
