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
1 pound of ziti and one pound bulk sausage feeds approximately 8 people depending on their appetite and if there are sides such as salad, garlic bread, etc.
What's the difference between baked ziti and lasagna? ›
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? ›
How does baked ziti end up 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.
What to serve with ziti? ›
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread.
- Simple Arugula Salad.
- Easy Green Salad.
- Simple Kale Salad.
- Roasted Broccoli.
- Simple Skillet Green Beans.
- Roasted Asparagus.
- Caprese Salad.
Tony allows his old friend Davey to join in and even loans him 45 “boxes of ziti,” or $45,000, but Davey loses it all.
How many trays of baked ziti for 40 people? ›
"This recipe makes two full steam-table pans. About 40 (8 oz) Servings. Enjoy!"
Should Baked Ziti be covered when baking? ›
Should I cover Baked Ziti while it's baking? Yes. Cover loosely with foil so it doesn't stick to the cheese, then bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil so the cheese can go bubbly and golden!
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 long to let ziti sit after baking? ›
Add the remaining pasta, then the remaining sauce and then the remaining cheese. Bake until heated through and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and serve.
Add half the pasta to the baking dish, top with dollops of the ricotta, the remaining spinach, and scoop the remaining pasta on top. Top with the mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the cheese is browned, 16 to 22 minutes.
How to stop lasagne from going sloppy? ›
Don't use no-boil lasagna noodles. They require the sauce to have extra water in it to rehydrate the noodles. Between how many noodles and how much to dilute the sauce, it is a guessing game how it will turn out. Cook the noodles very al dente before assembling the lasagna, so you can use thick sauce.
What is ziti called in Italian? ›
In Italian, ziti is short for maccheroni di zita, or "macaroni of the bride." This probably comes from ziti's longstanding popularity as part of a wedding buffet, particularly in Southern Italy.
How to spice up leftover baked ziti? ›
Put a little pasta sauce on top of each portion. You can also add a little extra cheese at this step. Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Serve the leftover baked ziti with extra sauce and grated parmesan cheese on the side.
What is ziti at Olive Garden? ›
A baked blend of Italian cheeses, pasta and our signature five cheese marinara.
How much does 1lb of pasta feed people? ›
Most recipes call for one pound of pasta — which is a standard box or bag — to serve four to six people. It's far easier to eyeball this than fuss over specific measurements. I find that half the box, or a half-pound (eight ounces) of pasta, serves two to three people, depending on sauce and hunger level.
How many pounds of pasta feeds 4 people? ›
If you want to be sure each of your guests are eating the same amount, just grab a measuring cup so you know exactly how much you're making. Brandwein says most boxes of dried pasta are about 1 pound and offer four large individual servings.
How many people does a 16oz box of pasta feed? ›
For long pastas like spaghetti, angel hair, linguini, and fettuccini, your best bet is to hold the pasta on end to measure it. Two ounces of dry pasta is approximately 2/3 of an inch across, or one serving. A 16 ounce box of these shapes will have eight servings.
How many people does 1.5 pounds of pasta feed? ›
Assuming there will be other items to eat other than just pasta, a rule of thumb I use is 5 ppl per pound of dry pasta. Pasta's weight is doubled when cooked that will average 8 oz of pasta per person.
