Favorite baked ziti recipe?

Cooking Discussions
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What’s everyone’s favorite baked ziti recipe? Growing up it was the back of the polly-o package all the way. I haven’t made it in a while and want to make a couple trays with some frozen sauce I need to use. Wondering if there are any (simple) variations that are favorites around HO.
Thanks!!!

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I like a NYT version by Colu Henry with Italian sausage, spinach, canned tomatoes, ricotta, pecorino, and crème fraîche (although I use sour cream). This makes alot and is fairly rich and indulgent, but when I’m craving the ultimate comfort food, this is what I want.

The link below is a gift link.

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I will be curious to read people’s favorites.

For me - growing up in New Jersey - baked ziti was everywhere, at every party, school function, family gathering, everywhere. From “fancy” versions with sausage, peppers, etc/etc to “high school party” versions with just tomato sauce, ricotta and maybe mozzarella.

But honestly, I don’t think anyone ever used a recipe LOL. It was just a staple that everyone made up by “feel”. I remember when my sister-in-law (from Seattle) told us that she was going to make this recipe she saw that sounded really good . . .for baked ziti. She had never had it before . . my family couldn’t stop laughing at how different that experience was from ours.

So curious to see what others have determined as their favorites . . . I love baked ziti but don’t think I’ve ever made the same version twice.

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Besides the sour cream for creme fraîche substitute, do you make other changes? I am struck by all the comments lamenting how combining the ricotta mixture with the tomato sauce makes it pink. Not sure why that matters? Curious about your experience. (I have this earmarked for when the neighbors college senior comes home and has friends over. I believe four or five of them could take this down. We’ll be in the other room, eating soup and salad.) :rofl:

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I remember those comments. Any pinkish-ness never bothered me. I pretty much follow the recipe as written.

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Thanks so much! I know this will be a hit!!

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Looking forward to the review! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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From another native New Jerseyan…THIS. :up_arrow::up_arrow::up_arrow: It just WAS. No recipe. You just knew.

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I remember coming across this comparison (back during the pandemic) and trying all four… they were all good, but slightly different. It was a fun experiment!

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Fun pandemic project!

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