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Home Dish Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored

Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored

Name: How to cook Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored - cookcic.com
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Us

Introduce

Chef :

Rick M

Baked Ziti - Tuscan Flavored

Make use of your outdoor grill by taking Baked Ziti to another level. Grill up some garden vegetables and Italian sausage and then incorporate this into a baked pasta dish that goes into the oven. As with most Italian baked dishes, it’s even better the next day.

Ingredient

Food ration :

8 servings

Cooking time :

60 mins

eggplant (peeled, sliced 1/2”)

zucchini (sliced 1/2”)

plum tomatoes (sliced in half – lengthwise)

1/2

red onion (halved – lengthwise)

1 lb.

Italian sausage (mild or hot)

1 can (5.75 oz)

whole, pitted black olives (sliced in half)

1 jar

roasted red bell peppers (chopped)

1 box (16 oz)

Pasta - Penne or Ziti

large jar (32oz) or more, tomato sauce

Dash

red pepper flakes

1/2 cup

fresh basil (chopped)

16 oz

fresh shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup

fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped)

Cooking instructions

* Step 1

Heat grill to medium temperature.

* Step 2

Place the first four prepared vegetables on a platter for grilling. Drizzle all the vegetables lightly with olive oil. [A bit heavier with the eggplant]

* Step 3

Place the slices on the grill (oil side down) and reduce the grill temp to low – medium. Brush olive oil on the tops. Grill for 7 minutes, then 5 minutes on the other side. [Keep tomatoes to a lower temp side of the grill]

* Step 4

Remove the vegetables to a platter, but leave the onion to grill a bit more. Place the sausage(s) on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side. Remove the sausage and onion to a plate and let cool.

* Step 5

On a cutting board, slice the grilled vegetables into bite-sized portions. Place them into a large bowl. Add the black olives and roasted red bell peppers. Drizzle the bowl ingredients with balsamic vinegar.

* Step 6

On a cutting board, slice the sausage into 1/2” slices. Place these pieces on a plate.

* Step 7

Prepare pasta according to package instructions for a slightly al dente firmness. Drain the pasta (do not rinse) and drizzle with olive oil while mixing.

* Step 8

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

* Step 9

Take a very large lasagna pan (or deep dish pan) and coat the bottom of the pan with a bit of the tomato sauce. Add the pasta and then the vegetables and spread evenly. Place the sausage pieces on top.

* Step 10

Spread the rest of the tomato sauce on top and add a dash of red pepper flakes (lightly) to areas of the sauce. Top the sauce with fresh basil and now the cheese. Place the pan in the heated oven.

* Step 11

Bake covered (aluminum foil) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes to brown the cheese. Remove the pan and allow it to cool for 15 minutes. Top with parsley.