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Creamy Spicy Baked Ziti with Jalapeño Ranch

creamy spicy baked ziti - featured image
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A flavorful, creamy, and spicy baked ziti featuring a jalapeño ranch drizzle that adds fresh heat and balances the richness of melted cheeses and zesty tomato sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners and entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage (spicy or sweet)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese, well-drained
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Jalapeño Ranch Drizzle:
  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and chopped
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it up and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning the garlic.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan. Add salt and pepper, then stir until smooth and creamy.
  7. Add cooked ziti to the skillet with tomato sauce and sausage. Stir gently to coat pasta evenly.
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half the pasta mixture. Dollop half the cheese mixture on top, then repeat layers ending with cheese on top.
  9. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. While baking, blend jalapeños, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt until smooth to make the jalapeño ranch drizzle.
  11. Drizzle jalapeño ranch generously over each serving of baked ziti. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.

Notes

Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes after baking to help the sauce settle. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water before layering. Avoid overcooking pasta; it should be just shy of tender before baking. Drain cottage cheese well to prevent watery sauce. Remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat or keep for extra spice.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, spicy pasta, jalapeño ranch, creamy pasta, Italian comfort food, easy dinner, sausage pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-spicy-baked-ziti-with-jalape-n-o-ranch-easy-homemade-recipe/