Description
This Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender ziti pasta tossed with a flavorful mushroom tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining earthy sautéed mushrooms with a rich tomato base and creamy cheese, all baked to bubbling perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 package (16 oz.) ziti pasta
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. mixed, sliced mushrooms
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1⁄4 tsp. salt
Cheese
- 3⁄4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until just al dente. Once cooked, rinse with cold water, drain very well, and transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish.
- Cook the mushrooms and sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mixed mushrooms and cook undisturbed for about 7 minutes until they start to brown on one side. Stir and continue cooking for 3 to 4 more minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt, then simmer for approximately 10 minutes to develop and meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta with sauce and cheese: Pour the mushroom tomato sauce over the pasta in the casserole dish, and stir in 1/2 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese to blend throughout the pasta.
- Bake until bubbly and melted: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese has melted and slightly browned.
Notes
- Cooking the mushrooms without stirring allows them to brown nicely, enhancing their flavor.
- Rinsing the pasta after cooking prevents it from overcooking during baking and removes excess starch for a better texture.
- Using part-skim mozzarella helps reduce the fat content while still providing a creamy melt.
- You can add fresh basil or oregano to the sauce for extra herb flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta.
