Baked Ziti Recipe Quesion?

[fourcatmom]

I have been wanting to make baked ziti but every recipe that I find has ricotta cheese which I do not like. Is there anything I can substitute for this? Or, does it work to just leave it out? Most recipes call for ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and an egg mixed together. It doesn't seem like it work without it but I don't know what else to use.

 

Thanks!

 

I also do not like cottage cheese or tofu and those were the recommendations that I found online:tongue_smilie:

Edited November 14, 2011 by fourcatmom

[ByGrace3]

you can make ziti with sauce and top with mozzarella cheese, it will still be yummy ;) (make the ziti, mix with some mozzarella cheese and sauce in a baking pan, cover with mozzarella and bake)

[Myeightkiddies]

Hmm..typically, cottage cheese is the "go to" substitute for ricotta. Perhaps you could try cream cheese. You may need to try different amounts to see what works the best. For me I would increase the mozzarella and mix some cream cheese with it for the middle layers.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Myeightkiddies
Leaving out words in my sentence (one of the children is getting their driver's license today, so I'm on edge). : D

[blessed3x]

Here is the recipe I use from AllRecipes:

 

Ingredients

 

1 (16 ounce) package dry ziti pasta

1 pound lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 (28 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

6 ounces sliced provolone cheese

6 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

 

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat. Add onions; saute until tender. Drain off fat and add spaghetti sauce; simmer for about 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a lightly greased 2 quart baking dish, place about half of the pasta; top with a layer of provolone and mozzarella cheese slices. Spread on a layer of half the spaghetti sauce mixture and sour cream.

Cover with remaining pasta, cheese and sauce; sprinkle a layer of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese and sauce are bubbly; serve.

 

Enjoy! :001_smile:

[Dustybug]

Hmm..typically, cottage cheese is the "go to" substitute for ricotta. Perhaps you could try cream cheese. You may need to try different amounts to see what works the best. For me I would increase the mozzarella and mix some cream cheese with it for the middle layers.

 

:iagree: Cottage cheese is interchangeable with ricotta, but I have heard of people using cream cheese as well.

[HollyDay]

I don't use ricotta when I make baked ziti. I make a nice meat/tomato sauce and pour it into baked ziti. Then I stir in shredded cheese. I usually some combination of colby jack, mozzarrela, parmesan, and/or romano cheeses. Basically, whatever is in the fridge at the time. I cover it for most of the baking time, then remove the cover and sprinkle more cheese on top for the last few minutes of baking.

 

Now I'm really hungry!!!

[fourcatmom]

That makes sense. I would just leave out the egg and mix in with Mozzarella. I think I am mixing up two pastas though. Is ziti the one that you stuff?

[Mrs Mungo]

That makes sense. I would just leave out the egg and mix in with Mozzarella. I think I am mixing up two pastas though. Is ziti the one that you stuff?

 

No, that is manicotti.

[fourcatmom]

I don't use ricotta when I make baked ziti. I make a nice meat/tomato sauce and pour it into baked ziti. Then I stir in shredded cheese. I usually some combination of colby jack, mozzarrela, parmesan, and/or romano cheeses. Basically, whatever is in the fridge at the time. I cover it for most of the baking time, then remove the cover and sprinkle more cheese on top for the last few minutes of baking.

 

Now I'm really hungry!!!

 

 

I like this recipe with the meat and sauce. I think my kids would eat that instead of the ricotta or sour creams.

 

Thanks everyone!

[Mrs Twain]

Here is a simple recipe that I use which I think is great:

 

Boil one box of ziti noodles and drain.

Brown 1-2 lbs of ground beef (I prefer the higher amount), and drain.

Stir spaghetti sauce of choice into beef (I prefer a large jar).

Stir the cooked ziti noodles into beef mixture.

Pour beef/sauce/ziti mixture into 9x13 casserole dish.

Spread 4 cups of mozzarella on top.

Bake at 350 degrees covered for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.

 

Easy peasy. Yum yum yum.

[fourcatmom]

Here is a simple recipe that I use which I think is great:

 

Boil one box of ziti noodles and drain.

Brown 1-2 lbs of ground beef (I prefer the higher amount), and drain.

Stir spaghetti sauce of choice into beef (I prefer a large jar).

Stir the cooked ziti noodles into beef mixture.

Pour beef/sauce/ziti mixture into 9x13 casserole dish.

Spread 4 cups of mozzarella on top.

Bake at 350 degrees covered for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.

 

Easy peasy. Yum yum yum.

 

 

Lots to choose from. Thanks. Now to bake up some Ziti for dinner! :lol:

[LarlaB]

I prepare Ziti with mozzarella & 1 cup sour cream for tang...and put fresh grated Parmesan on top.

[fourcatmom]

No, that is manicotti.

 

 

That's right. Thank you.

 

Also, do you have to use Ziti pasta or will Penne do? I am guessing it's about the same, they are both tube shaped?

[ByGrace3]

That's right. Thank you.

 

Also, do you have to use Ziti pasta or will Penne do? I am guessing it's about the same, they are both tube shaped?

 

either would be fine. I actually use rigatoni to make baked ziti, confuses the heck out of dh when he goes to the grocery store :lol:

[Pretty in Pink]

Here is a simple recipe that I use which I think is great:

 

Boil one box of ziti noodles and drain.

Brown 1-2 lbs of ground beef (I prefer the higher amount), and drain.

Stir spaghetti sauce of choice into beef (I prefer a large jar).

Stir the cooked ziti noodles into beef mixture.

Pour beef/sauce/ziti mixture into 9x13 casserole dish.

Spread 4 cups of mozzarella on top.

Bake at 350 degrees covered for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.

 

Easy peasy. Yum yum yum.

 

This is how I do it, too, except I stir shredded moz into the pasta and bake. When I uncover it I top it with sliced moz (thicker slices) and bake uncovered until cheese melts. Yum.

 

I do sub penne if it's what I've got on hand. It tastes the same.

[Unicorn.]

I never use ricotta, and I don't like cottage cheese by itself. But I do use it for cooking, and it doesn't have the cottage cheese flavor when cooked. hth What about an Asiago and Romano mix?

 

eta: I always use Penne when I do Ziti. I don't like actual Ziti pasta.