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Ziti al Forno in a white oval casserole on a countertop with sliced bread and a stack of bowls next to it.
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Three Cheese Ziti Al Forno   
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 
You'll find many versions of the classic Italian Ziti al Forno in the world. This version uses sweet Italian sausage and three cheeses all baked together with a rich creamy tomato sauce. It makes the house smell terrific and welcomes everyone to the table.
Course: Entrées
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pork, Pasta, One Pot Meal
Servings: 6
Calories: 954 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried ziti
  • 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed and broken into 1-inch pieces.
  • ½ onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic mined
  • 28 ounce can peeled tomatoes
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese divided
  • 6 ounces grated Fontina cheese divided
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
  • chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
  1. Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta for 9 minutes. Drain, do not rinse the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage to the sauté pan and cook until it starts to brown. Add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until the onions are soft and the sausage is no longer pink. Strain off any grease from the pan and discard.
  3. Add the canned tomatoes (breaking them up with your hands or a wooden spoon), crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir well and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
  4. Add the heavy cream and ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until combined and simmer for a few more minutes.
  5. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
  6. Place the cooked pasta in a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the Fontina cheese over the sauce and stir to evenly coat the pasta with sauce. Slice the fresh mozzarella into thin slices and place the slices on top of the pasta. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top and transfer the casserole to the oven.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has browned.
  8. Let the pasta bake rest for at least 15 minutes to cool to an edible temperature, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top and serve with a salad and crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Three Cheese Ziti Al Forno   
Amount Per Serving
Calories 954 Calories from Fat 477
% Daily Value*
Fat 53g82%
Saturated Fat 26g130%
Cholesterol 156mg52%
Sodium 1981mg83%
Potassium 1083mg31%
Carbohydrates 75g25%
Fiber 7g28%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 45g90%
Vitamin A 1345IU27%
Vitamin C 26.8mg32%
Calcium 631mg63%
Iron 5.3mg29%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.