Family Day weekend is here! We hope you all get a chance to connect with your loved ones this weekend, preferably over a nice plate of food!
This week’s recipe is perfect for a large group. Baked ziti is a popular Italian American dish that most likely originated in Southern Italy. Ziti is the shape of the pasta – a smooth tubular noodle that holds up well during the baking process and is substantial enough to hold its shape while scooping into your bowl. Ziti isn’t super easy to find here in Toronto, so I’ve substituted with the very common Penne Rigate, whose textured edge pick up lots of tasty sauce.
I’ve also added a couple of vegetables to this sauce but hidden them, so the little ones won’t notice. This family day, it’s important to get these kids eating any vegetables!
Baked Ziti
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 lbs ground beef
1 large carrot, peeled and grated on a box grater
8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, grated on a box grater
to taste salt and pepper
680 ml tomato passata (1 bottle)
500 gr dried ziti pasta (or penne rigate)
1.5 cup mozzarella, grated
1.5 cup fontina, grated
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot over a medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sweat until slightly translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and break it up well with a wooden spoon. Stir well and brown the beef, about ten minutes. Add the carrots and mushroom and continue cooking until the vegetables release their moisture and the mixture dries out, about another ten minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the tomato sauce and stir well. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes less than the package directions (the pasta will continue cooking in the oven). Drain the very al dente pasta, then add to the simmered meat sauce, stirring well.
4. Ladle the pasta and meat sauce into the base of a casserole dish, filling it about halfway up the side. Mix the two cheeses together, then sprinkle half of the combined mixture all over the first layer of pasta. Fill the casserole with the remainder of the pasta and sauce, then top it off with the remaining cheese mixture.
5. Put the casserole in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool slightly before serving.