Baked Ziti

This is one of the most comforting pasta dishes I’ve ever had. It’s a rich bolognese, with layers of mozzarella cheese and a creamy béchamel. It’s more or less a lasagna with less work involved - unless you’re like me, and like making fresh pasta ;)

Pasta, Cheesy

Dinner

Yield: 8

Author: Kirsten Deneka

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Baked Ziti

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 H & 45 MTotal time: 2 Hour

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Ingredients

Bolognese:

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 sweet onion
• 1 carrot
• 2 celery stalks
• 5 garlic cloves
• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 tsp dried basil, oregano, parsley
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 - 2 tsp salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup Pinot noir
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 can san marzano tomatoes
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 bay leaves
• Fresh basil
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk

Additional:

• 500g of Ziti or Rigatoni
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions

To prepare:

1. Heat a large pot on medium heat and melt butter. Add in diced onion, carrot and celery and sweat for 5-7 minutes until softened.
2. Add in ground beef and leave untouched for a couple minutes to develop colour.
3. Stir to combine until the ground beef is fully cooked and browned.
4. Add in garlic, tomato paste and seasonings and cook for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Add in wine to deglaze and allow to reduce for 3-4 minutes.
6. Add in broth, tomatoes, milk and bay leaves and stir to combine.
7. Allow to simmer for 1-2 hours on low until deepened in colour.
8. Add sugar, red wine vinegar and additional salt to taste.
9. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until 90% of the way cooked. Add the pasta into the meat sauce to coat.
10. To make the bechamel, add the butter to a medium pot on medium heat. Grate in garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
11. Add in flour and whisk to combine. Slowly pour in milk until fully combined and simmer until slightly thickened. Add in nutmeg, salt & pepper to taste. Keep on low and stir occasionally.
12. To assemble, add in 1/3 of the meat sauce/pasta to the bottom of a tray. Add in 1/3 of the bechamel and 1/3 of the mozzarella.
13. Repeat this twice more and ensure there is mozzarella to top.
14. Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes and broil for another additional 3-5 minutes until bubbly.

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