Creamy Baked Ziti With Broccoli: A Delightful One-Dish Meal ๐
Prepare to fall in love with this delectable Creamy Baked Ziti with Broccoli recipe, perfect for a hearty and comforting meal that the whole family will adore. This recipe combines tender penne pasta, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce, all baked to golden perfection. Letโs dive into this easy-to-make dish that promises to make your dinner time both satisfying and stress-free.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta ๐: This is the base of your dish, providing the perfect texture and shape for capturing all the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil ๐ซ: Used for sautรฉing the garlic and adding a subtle richness to the dish.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ๐ง: Adds a burst of flavor that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
- 2 cups broccoli florets ๐ฅฆ: Fresh broccoli provides a delightful crunch and a healthy touch to your meal.
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese ๐ง: This cheese will melt into the sauce, adding a savory, cheesy depth.
- 1 cup half-and-half ๐ฅ: Gives the sauce a rich, creamy texture.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ๐ง: The topping that melts and bubbles to form a delicious, cheesy crust.
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by setting your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). This ensures that it’s at the perfect temperature when your dish is ready to bake.
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Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente. This means the pasta should be tender but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta well and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
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Prepare the Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sautรฉ it for about 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant and golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
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Mix the Ingredients: In the bowl with the drained penne, combine the sautรฉed garlic, fresh broccoli florets, grated Parmesan cheese, and half-and-half. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
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Assemble the Dish: Spoon the creamy pasta mixture into a large baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. This will create a deliciously gooey, cheesy crust as it bakes.
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Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the pasta is hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
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Final Touch: Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to get a beautiful, golden-brown crust.
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Serve and Enjoy: Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the creamy sauce to set a bit, making it easier to serve.
Note: This dish can be prepared up until the baking point and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When ready to bake, follow the instructions, but you may need to add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 730.8
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20.2g
- Cholesterol: 103.8mg
- Sodium: 580.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 73.5g
- Fiber: 11.2g
- Sugar: 2.1g
- Protein: 27.9g
This Creamy Baked Ziti with Broccoli is not only quick and easy but also incredibly satisfying. Itโs a wonderful one-dish meal that combines the convenience of a quick prep with the comfort of a classic baked pasta dish. Enjoy making and sharing this comforting recipe with your loved ones from lovewithrecipes.com. ๐๐ฝ๏ธ
