15+ East Side Marios Mama's Baked Ziti Recipe Copycat Get Ready To Indulge! | RecipesChoose (2024)

Mama's Baked Ziti is a classic Italian dish that is loved by many. With its rich, hearty flavors and comforting aroma, it is no surprise that this dish is a staple in many households. If you've ever dined at East Side Mario's, then you know that their Mama's Baked Ziti is something special. Luckily, you don't have to go to the restaurant to enjoy this delicious meal. With this copycat recipe, you can recreate East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti in the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients

Fresh and Simple Ingredients for a Delicious Dish

One of the things that makes East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti stand out is the simplicity of its ingredients. The key to making this dish taste like the restaurant version is to use high-quality and fresh ingredients. Ground beef, Italian sausage, and ricotta cheese are the stars of this dish, providing a rich and meaty flavor. Ziti pasta is the perfect choice for this recipe, as its shape allows for the sauce to cling onto it. Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste provide the base for the sauce, while garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning add depth and flavor. Mozzarella cheese is the finishing touch, giving this dish its signature ooey-gooey cheesy goodness.

Make It Your Own

The best part about making a copycat recipe is that you can put your own spin on it. If you're a fan of veggies, feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the sauce. For a spicier kick, you can add red pepper flakes or hot Italian sausage. You can also experiment with different types of cheeses, such as parmesan or pecorino romano, to add a unique flavor to the dish. No matter how you make it, the result will be a delicious and satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The Perfect Accompaniment

Mama's Baked Ziti is a hearty and filling dish, but it's always nice to have something on the side. A crisp Caesar salad or some garlic bread are the perfect accompaniments to this dish. You can also pair it with a glass of red wine to enhance the flavors and create a true Italian dining experience.

Instructions

Step by Step Guide to Recreating East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it's time to get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make your very own Mama's Baked Ziti:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven later on.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain the excess fat.
  4. Add the garlic and onion to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning.
  6. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  8. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
  9. Layer half of the cooked ziti on top of the sauce.
  10. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the ziti.
  11. Add another layer of the meat sauce on top of the ricotta cheese.
  12. Top with the remaining ziti and meat sauce.
  13. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the dish.
  14. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  15. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  16. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade version of East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti!

If you're craving East Side Mario's Mama's Baked Ziti but can't make it to the restaurant, this copycat recipe is the perfect solution. With fresh and simple ingredients, the ability to add your own twist, and easy-to-follow instructions, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for the recipe. So go ahead and give it a try – Mama would be proud!

15+ East Side Marios Mama's Baked Ziti Recipe Copycat Get Ready To Indulge! | RecipesChoose (1)

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

yield: 4

total time: 60 minutes

4.4 Stars (222 reviews)

View Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups macaroni uncooked
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • pepper to taste, I use about a teaspoon
  • 4 tablespoons margarine
  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk

Nutrition

  • Calories : 750 calories
  • Carbohydrate : 59 grams
  • Cholesterol : 95 milligrams
  • Fat : 42 grams
  • Fiber : 3 grams
  • Protein : 33 grams
  • SaturatedFat : 21 grams
  • Sodium : 1400 milligrams
  • Sugar : 7 grams
  • TransFat : 2 grams

Recipe Direction

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15+ East Side Marios Mama's Baked Ziti Recipe Copycat Get Ready To Indulge! | RecipesChoose (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between baked ziti and lasagna? ›

well, lasagna noodles! The noodles are stacked in a baking dish with cheese and sauce between each layer. Baked ziti, however, uses ziti noodles that are tossed with sauce and cheese. There's still some layering involved but only a little so it comes together quicker and easier than lasagna.

Why is my baked ziti watery? ›

How does baked ziti end up watery? Oftentimes, baked ziti can end up watery if the tomato sauce isn't thick enough. Luckily this recipe calls for the tomato sauce to simmer on the stove along with the ground beef and onion. Doing this will help to get rid of some of the extra water in the sauce.

How many pounds of ziti per person? ›

Having said that, 2 oz. (by weight) dried (i.e. raw, uncooked) pasta per person is considered a good single-serving rule of thumb.

Should Baked Ziti be covered when baking? ›

Should I cover Baked Ziti while it's baking? Yes. Cover loosely with foil so it doesn't stick to the cheese, then bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil so the cheese can go bubbly and golden!

Do they eat Baked Ziti in Italy? ›

Baked Ziti is a popular Italian-American dish that is not commonly found in Italy. It is a casserole-style pasta that typically consists of ziti pasta, tomato sauce, cheese (usually a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan), and added ingredients like meat or vegetables.

Does baked ziti contain ricotta cheese? ›

Add half the pasta to the baking dish, top with dollops of the ricotta, the remaining spinach, and scoop the remaining pasta on top. Top with the mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the cheese is browned, 16 to 22 minutes.

What is a substitute for ricotta cheese in baked ziti? ›

If you're simply looking to substitute another cheese for ricotta without the extra step, cottage cheese is the most similar, and cream cheese and mascarpone are also worthy replacements (via Izzy Cooking).

How do you keep baked ziti from drying out? ›

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil in order to keep all the moisture. This will keep the pasta from drying out. Another tip is to add around ¼ cup of water to the dish to help prevent a dried out baked ziti.

How many people does 2 pounds of pasta feed? ›

Most recipes call for one pound of pasta — which is a standard box or bag — to serve four to six people. It's far easier to eyeball this than fuss over specific measurements. I find that half the box, or a half-pound (eight ounces) of pasta, serves two to three people, depending on sauce and hunger level.

How much is a box of ziti in money? ›

In the crime-drama series The Sopranos, the phrase box of ziti is used as a euphemism for one thousand dollars. This term has spread to become colloquial in New York.

How much is 45 boxes of ziti? ›

Tony allows his old friend Davey to join in and even loans him 45 “boxes of ziti,” or $45,000, but Davey loses it all.

What culture is baked ziti? ›

As with so many Italian-American dishes, Baked Ziti has its origins in the Old Country, in this case in Naples and Campania.

What are some fun facts about baked ziti? ›

Ziti gets its name from the word zita, which means bride. In Naples, Ziti is the classic pasta served at weddings as the zita/bride's pasta. Ziti goes well with fresh, light sauces like olive oil or a simple fresh tomato sauce. Ziti is also a great add-on to baked casserole dishes.

What is ziti at Olive Garden? ›

A baked blend of Italian cheeses, pasta and our signature five cheese marinara.

What's the difference between big ziti and lasagna? ›

Another popular type of pasta is ziti. Ziti has a slightly different shape when compared to other types of pasta. The noodles are shaped like curves and have ridges on the sides, which makes it easier for the pasta to latch onto the sauce. This is the biggest difference between ziti and lasagna.

Is baked ziti or lasagna healthier? ›

Baked Ziti has the least sugar per 100 grams. Awesome Lasagna has the most fiber per 100 grams. Baked Ziti has the most protein per 100 grams.

What's the difference between lasagna and baked pasta? ›

Lasagna and baked pasta are both baked Italian dishes, but they have some key differences: Noodles: Lasagna typically uses wide, flat lasagna noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. Baked pasta can use various types of pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti.

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