hFolks will RAVE over this easy, cheesy, and delicious baked ziti that will feed up to 20 people and is make-ahead AND freezer friendly.
This Best Baked Ziti for a crowd truly is a winner. It won first place in a “Chopped Competition” that Zane and I entered with some friends. This dish is always a HUGE hit when we serve this to guests and is one of our “go-to” dishes to serve at a small group gathering or party.
What pasta is used for baked ziti?
The pasta used for baked ziti is super easy to remember, ziti! If you are unsure what ziti is, it is the pasta that is shaped into a long tube. It is super easy to find but you could also sub it out for some penne in a pinch.
What kind of sauce do I use for baked ziti?
I use a jarred sauce for this baked ziti and I recommend just using whatever sauce you prefer most! You’re going to add the meat and a few seasonings to the sauce and cook it all together, so the type of sauce isn’t super important. More important than the sauce is the contents you add to it.
Pasta Portions: How Much to Cook
How many cheeses should a baked ziti have?
In my opinion, it’s mandatory for a good baked ziti to have three cheeses — and this is not the time to be skimpy with how much. Use mozzarella because it melts beautifully, Parmesan for depth of flavor, and ricotta for some creaminess. Ricotta is the defining cheese of baked ziti and I can’t imagine not using it.
How do you cook ziti in a crock pot?
Delicious party sized baked ziti with meat sauce, pasta, and 3 cheeses. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
What is baked ziti?
Baked ziti is a pasta-based casserole where you layer pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and a ricotta/egg/sour cream mixture. It is similar to lasagna but much easier to make (and just as yummy). The meat sauce: The meat sauce in this baked ziti couldn’t be easier. It consists of ground beef simmered in prepared jarred pasta sauce (and a few seasonings).
What is the difference between rotini and ziti?
Others, like ziti, are smaller. One 2 ounce dry serving size of rotini equals 3/4 cup whereas ziti’s 2 ounce dry serving size is 2/3 cup. The nutritional label on your purchased pasta should provide the serving size by cup.