The Sopranos Special - Baked Ziti - English Subtitles

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while provolone can be more affordable.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

Turn on the stove to heat the pot.

Add chopped onions to the pot and fry them.

Add garlic to the pot after the onions have fried a little.

Add Lithuanian sausages to the pot and fry them.

Add minced beef to the pot and cook until browned.

Pour in tomato puree and add four teaspoons of tomato paste.

Add half a can of water to the pot.

Grind some black pepper and add a pinch of salt.

Add a piece of Parmesan cheese to the pot.

Add a teaspoon of dried basil and stir.

Simmer the sauce for about 1 hour to reduce it.

Boil water in a separate pot and add salt.

Add ziti pasta to the boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes.

Drain the pasta and set it aside.

Mix part of the sauce with the pasta, using about 6 ladles of sauce.

Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a baking tray.

Grate mozzarella cheese and add a few leaves of basil.

Spread ricotta cheese over the pasta mixture.

Add the remaining pasta and top with more sauce.

Grate more Parmesan cheese on top and cover with aluminum foil.

Bake in the oven for 30-45 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens