Sure, let’s dive deep into crafting this mouthwatering Baked Ziti with Roasted Veggies recipe! 🍽️
Baked Ziti with Roasted Veggies Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eggplant |
| 1 | Red onion |
| 2 | Bell peppers (any color) |
| 1 | Red bell pepper |
| 1/2 | cup Olive oil |
| 1 | Onion |
| 1 | Garlic clove |
| 2 | Red chili flakes |
| 1/4 | tsp Fennel seeds |
| 28 oz | Crushed tomatoes |
| 1/4 | tsp Salt |
| 1/2 | tsp Freshly ground black pepper |
| 1/4 | tsp Sugar |
| 1/4 | tsp Dried thyme |
| 1/4 | cup Fresh parsley, chopped |
| 2 cups | Ziti pasta |
| 1 | package Frozen chopped spinach |
| 1 | Mozzarella cheese, shredded |
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 450°F (230°C). This ensures it’s nice and hot for roasting the veggies later on.
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Prepare the Veggies: Wash and dice the eggplant into bite-sized pieces. Slice the red onion and bell peppers. Place them in a shallow pan and toss with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.
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Roast the Veggies: Pop the pan into the preheated oven and roast the veggies for about 30 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking, until they start to caramelize and develop a deliciously roasted flavor.
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Prepare the Sauce: While the veggies are roasting, it’s time to make the sauce. Heat some olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes until soft and translucent.
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Add Flavor: Stir in the minced garlic, red chili flakes, and fennel seeds, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, sugar, and dried thyme. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir in the chopped parsley just before removing from heat. This flavorful sauce is the heart of your baked ziti.
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Prepare the Pasta: Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until it’s just al dente. Drain well.
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Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the roasted veggies, cooked ziti pasta, spinach (thawed and drained if using frozen), and the prepared tomato sauce until everything is well coated.
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Bake to Perfection: Transfer the ziti mixture to a shallow 3-quart baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a gooey, cheesy layer.
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Final Bake: Lower the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake the ziti for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden brown.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once out of the oven, let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Then, dish it up and savor the delicious medley of flavors and textures!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 473.1
- Total Fat: 9.2g
- Saturated Fat: 3.3g
- Cholesterol: 14.8mg
- Sodium: 735.5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 81.7g
- Dietary Fiber: 9.7g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 18.9g
This Baked Ziti with Roasted Veggies recipe is a delightful combination of hearty pasta, flavorful roasted vegetables, and gooey melted cheese, all brought together with a savory tomato sauce that’s bursting with herbs and spices. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or for impressing guests at your next gathering. Give it a try and get ready to fall in love with this comforting and satisfying dish!
