Baked Ziti: Full Hotel Pan Pasta Portioning

Baked ziti is a popular dish for feeding a crowd, and for good reason. It's an easy, hearty meal that's similar to lasagna but simpler to make. It's also versatile, with options for customisation depending on your preferences and dietary requirements.

The key ingredients in baked ziti are pasta (ziti, penne, or rigatoni), sauce (usually tomato-based), and cheese (ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan are most common). The pasta is layered with the sauce and cheese, then baked in the oven until bubbly and golden.

Most recipes recommend a full pound of pasta, which should be enough to fill a hotel pan and feed a large group. However, the exact amount of pasta you'll need will depend on the size of your pan and the number of servings you want to get out of it.

How much pasta to use

The amount of pasta you'll need for a full hotel pan of baked ziti will depend on the number of people you're serving and the other ingredients you're including. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about 1 pound (450g) of dried ziti per person, though this may vary depending on the recipe you're following and the appetites of your guests!

For a classic baked ziti recipe, you'll typically need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) of dried ziti pasta
• 1-2 pounds (450g-900g) of ground beef, Italian sausage, or a combination of the two
• 2 jars (26 ounces/737g each) of spaghetti sauce
• 6-8 ounces (170g-225g) of provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups (340g) of sour cream
• 6-8 ounces (170g-225g) of mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2-4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese

To make baked ziti, start by boiling the ziti in a large pot of lightly salted water until it is al dente, which should take around 8 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef and/or Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9x13-inch (23x33cm) baking dish. Spread half of the cooked ziti in the bottom of the prepared dish, then top with provolone cheese, sour cream, and half of the meat sauce. Add the remaining ziti, followed by the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheeses have melted, about 30 minutes.

This recipe should serve about 10 people, but you can easily adjust the amounts to serve a larger crowd. Just make sure to increase the amount of pasta, sauce, and cheese accordingly!

How to cook the pasta

To cook the pasta for a baked ziti, start by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. For each 2 quarts of water, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, which means it should be edible but still a little firm to the bite. This should take around 8 minutes.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it through a colander. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, you can toss it with a little olive oil while you prepare the sauce. You can also add a few splashes of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and mix it through.

How to make the sauce

The sauce is a key component of any baked ziti recipe. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a delicious meat sauce for your baked ziti:

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Meat (Italian sausage, ground beef, or a combination of both)
• Tomato sauce/marinara sauce/pasta sauce
• Italian seasoning/herbs (co: 1,2,4>basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, etc.)
• Salt and pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
• When the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and beginning to brown.
• Add the meat (Italian sausage, ground beef, or a combination of both) to the pan and break it up into small pieces with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned.
• If using, add the garlic to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for an additional minute.
• Add the tomato sauce/marinara sauce/pasta sauce to the pan. You can also add diced tomatoes for extra texture.
• Season the sauce with Italian seasoning/herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. For a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes.
• Simmer the sauce for 12-15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
• Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.

You now have a delicious meat sauce for your baked ziti! Remember, you can always adjust the seasoning and ingredients to your taste preferences. For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add minced vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini to the sauce. Enjoy creating your own ziti masterpiece!

How to assemble the bake

Once you have cooked your pasta, sauce, and cheese mixture, it's time to assemble the bake. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

First, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish. Then, add half of your cooked ziti, spreading it evenly. Next, add a layer of provolone or mozzarella cheese, followed by half of your meat sauce.

Repeat these layers, starting with the remaining ziti and ending with the meat sauce. Then, spread the ricotta/sour cream mixture on top, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

At this point, you can choose to bake immediately, or cover and refrigerate or freeze for later.

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the cheese is melted. For a frozen ziti, bake for 60-70 minutes, covering with foil if the top browns before the inside is fully heated.

Let the ziti stand for 10-30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

How to cook and serve the bake

How to Cook and Serve Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a great dish to serve at a party or gathering. It is a classic Italian-American comfort food that is similar to lasagna but easier to make. It is a perfect midweek or weekend meal and can be made ahead and frozen for later.

Ingredients:

• Ziti or penne pasta
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork
• Onion
• Garlic
• Fresh rosemary or basil
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Tomato sauce or pasta sauce
• Black pepper
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan or pecorino cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Sour cream
• Provolone cheese

Method:

First, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the ziti or penne. Cook until al dente, being careful not to overcook as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, start on the sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork and cook until browned. If using sausage, remove the casings before cooking. If using ground beef or pork, sprinkle with a little salt.

Next, add the onion and cook until translucent and beginning to brown. Then, add the garlic, rosemary or basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute before adding the tomato sauce. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Now it's time to assemble the casserole. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Then, dot the surface with ricotta cheese. You can also add a spoonful of sauce to the pasta and stir before adding it to the dish.

Layer the ingredients as follows: sauce, pasta, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, remaining sauce, remaining pasta, remaining provolone and mozzarella, ricotta cheese, and parmesan cheese.

Finally, bake the ziti at 350°F until bubbly. If baking from frozen, let the dish thaw in the fridge first and then bake until heated through.

Serving:

Baked ziti is a hearty and filling dish, so it can be served on its own or with a simple side salad. It is also great for a potluck or party and can be made ahead of time. It pairs well with crusty artisan bread and a fresh baguette. For a more substantial meal, serve it with chicken parm and meatballs.

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