I realize that many of the great recipes I discover are from my fellow food bloggers. I have a folder that sits on top of my desk that is bulging with recipes that I want to experience. This recipe I found at Fig Tree Appetizers www.figtreeapps.blogspot.com. I think what really sets this baked ziti apart is the basciamella sauce. A blend of butter, milk, flour and nutmeg. These ingredients when blended together produce a rich white sauce that is a key ingredient in many Italian dishes.
Baked Ziti
Recipe fom: Mario Batali
Recipe discovered on Fig Tree Appetizers
Recipe fom: Mario Batali
Recipe discovered on Fig Tree Appetizers
Ingredients:
1 lb ziti , cooked al dente, drain and rinse under cool water
2 cups tomato sauce(note: If you use jarred pasta sauce, use high-quality)
2 cups besciamella (directions below)
1 lb. fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Basciamella Sauce
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups whole milk
1-2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Directions:
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the flour, stirring till light golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add milk to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking constantly. Cook till thickened, about 10 minutes, remove from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg, let cool.
Place drained cooked ziti in a large bowl. Add the tomato sauce, basciamella, mozzarella and Parmigiano to the ziti. Mix and stir well. Divide pasta into gratin dishes or a 9×13 baking dish. bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Tomatoes on the Vine 
Fig Tree is a great blog, isn't it?The baked ziti recipe is looking fabulous, Velva. All that delicious melted cheese! And I do love a good bechamel. (I heard Mario was on a diet. Haven't seen him since I read that. Do you think we'll recognize him?)
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Baked ziti…one of our favorites. I love seeing that it's held in such high esteem by others as well. 🙂
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Comfort food with a plus.
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Pastas and sauces are so interchangeable…It really opens up the possibilities!
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This look really tasty Velva!! Thanks for stopping by un my blog, love yours! xx gloria
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Baked pasta is literally the perfect comfort food! This looks incredible with that rich, creamy basciamella sauce!
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I used to eat a dish like this back in Italy. You are making my mouth water. This will go in my folder for next month.
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oh…this looks so good..what i would want for my last meal….love it…love mario too…..thanks for stopping by Farmhouse and for the good wishes for February…that made me laugh…more later, friendkaryxxx
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Oh man, I LOVE baked ziti! Yours looks fabulous.
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This looks fantastic, but I'm craving those jalapeno hot wings below. Holy cow!
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Anything with a basciamella sauce is a keeper for me! I'm printing this recipe as I type! Thanks. It looks so yummy!
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This baked ziti looks fabulous especially with Basciamella Sauce, yum!
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It looks yummy and nice. Love the smell of nutmeg!
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Added your link to my blogroll! Cheers!
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I have been CRAVING pasta these past days, and this is driving me to the brink of madness. Velva, this looks fabulous. Oh my!!!!
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Ciao! grazie della tua visita!!! e complimenti per piatto straordinario!!deve essere buonissimo!!! mmmm…
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Oh, I saw that post too. And yours looks wonderful too. I need to dig my Mario cookbook out and break the seal.
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I am the same way with recipes from my fellow foodbloggers. There are so many to try so I made a NY resolution to try at least one a month, but I'm shooting for more. This looks delicious!
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Hello Velva!!What a georgous & excellent tasty looking dish!! I so love bechamel sauce too!MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,…lovely!!!
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I love baked ziti! I'd love to try and make this sauce! It looks and sounds fantastic!!
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That is a comforting dish,Velva!Sounds delicious….I would love to make it for my next dinner party.
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I agreed with you. I saw this at Figtree's site as well and it's a yummy dish, alright!
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I've never had ziti with a white sauce. Sounds good!~ingrid
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