VEGETABLE BAKED ZITI RECIPES

Steps:

• Put pasta water on to boil.
• In a medium sauce pot over medium heat, saute garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. Chop whole tomatoes and add them to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes and salt and simmer 10 minutes, add basil and simmer over low heat 10 minutes more.
• Add salt and pasta to boiling water and cook 6 minutes, leaving pasta a little chewy.
• While pasta cooks, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then cook 1 minute, adding salt and pepper and nutmeg to flour. Add milk and bring sauce to a bubble. Reduce 5 minutes.
• Drain pasta and transfer to a large flameproof casserole dish. Pour the tomato and basil sauce over the pasta and turn to coat the pasta. Pour the bechamel over the already coated pasta. Cover the top of the pasta with Asiago, Parmesan and mozzarella. Place the casserole under hot broiler and melt the 3 cheeses until brown and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately with Spinach and Artichoke Salad and bread.
• 3/4 pound, 4 to 5 cups, baby spinach, packed
• 2 (15-ounce) cans artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and sliced
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• A handful shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Combine spinach and artichokes. Place garlic, lemon zest and juice in small dish and add vinegar. Let it stand 5 minutes then whisk in extra-virgin olive oil. Pour oil and vinegar dressing over salad and toss to combine. Season the salad with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top the salad with cheese then serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil spray.
• In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to instructions until al dente (I like to under-cook it 3 or 4 minutes as it will cook more in the oven). Drain and return to pot.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, add olive oil and sauté garlic. Add chopped spinach, salt, pepper and crushed tomatoes. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes.
• Add sauce to the pasta and combine. Add half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and ricotta. Mix well then transfer to the baking pan.
• Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and cover with foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and the edges are lightly browned. Let it cool 5 minutes before serving.