Copycat Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe

If you are looking for a Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe then you are on the right blog page. In this post, I have tried to make the Copycat Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe with some useful information that you will like a lot I hope.

what is Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti?

Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti is a delicious pasta dish that’s loved by many. Imagine a big, warm serving of ziti pasta, which is a type of noodle that looks like thick tubes.

This pasta gets mixed up with a generous amount of marinara and Alfredo sauces, creating a rich and creamy blend of flavors. But that’s not all! It also includes a mix of melted cheeses, including Provolone, Mozzarella, and Parmesan, making it super cheesy and irresistible.

A special part of this dish is the Ricotta cheese mixture added on top, which brings a creamy texture and adds to the overall richness. Before it’s baked, a crunchy topping made from bread crumbs, melted butter, and more Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over it.

It’s cooked until the top turns golden brown, creating a delightful contrast of textures. Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti is a comfort food favorite, perfect for sharing with family and friends at gatherings or enjoying a cozy meal at home.

Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe Ingredients, Equipment, & Instructions

The ingredients and Equipment are as follows:

Ingredients For Bread Crumbs Mixture:

Bread Crumbs: You will need 1/3 cup of dried Bread Crumbs. Use Jason or Pereg brand bread crumbs.

Butter: You will need 2 Tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted. Use Land O Lakes or Amazon Fresh brand unsalted butter.

Parmesan Cheese: You will need 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese, grated. Use Frank and Sal Italian Market or Kraft brand Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients For Cheese Mixture:

Provolone Cheese: You will need 2 1/2 oz of Provolone Cheese, shredded. Use BELGIOIOSO brand Provolone Cheese to get the best result.

Mozzarella Cheese: You will need 2 1/2 oz of Mozzarella Cheese, shredded. Use Paisa or Happy Belly brand Mozzarella Cheese.

Ingredients For Ricotta Mixture:

Ricotta Cheese: You will need 8 oz of Ricotta Cheese. Use Galbani or Goinsane brand Ricotta cheese.

Parmesan Cheese: You will need 2 oz of Parmesan Cheese, grated. Use Frank and Sal Italian Market or Kraft brand Parmesan cheese.

Black Pepper: You will need 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper. Use Happy Belly or Spicy World brand ground black pepper.

Ingredients For Sauces:

Marinara Sauce: You will need 3 cups of Marinara Sauce. Use Rao’s brand Marinara Sauce or you can use homemade Marinara Sauce (recipe below).

Alfredo Sauce: You will need 3/4 cup of Alfredo Sauce. Use Classico or Rao’s brand Alfredo sauce.

For Pasta:

Pasta: You will need 1 1/2 lb of Ziti Pasta. Use Ronzoni or L’Oro Del Sud brand Ziti pasta.

Ingredients For Marinara Sauce:

Olive Oil: You will need 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Use Amazon Fresh or SULU ORGANICS brand olive oil.

Onion: You will need 1 Red Onion, chopped. Peel, wash, and chop the onion as preparation.

Garlic: You will need 6 cloves Garlic, chopped. Peel, wash, and chop the garlic cloves.

Crushed Tomatoes: You will need 28 oz of Crushed Tomatoes. Use Amazon Fresh or Cento brand crushed tomatoes.

Black Pepper & Salt: You will need Ground Black Pepper and Salt according to your taste. Use what you have on hand.

Basil: You will need 3 tablespoons of Fresh Basil, chopped. Wash and chop the fresh basil leaves as preparation.

Equipment & Tools:

You will need:

• Stove
• Pan
• Saucepan
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cup
• Measuring Spoon
• Stirring Spoon
• Oven
• Serving Plate

Instructions For Baked Ziti FRecipe

Prepare Bread Crumb Mixture: In a bowl, mix dried bread crumbs, melted butter, and grated Parmesan until crumbs are evenly moistened. Set aside.

Prepare Cheese Mixture: In another bowl, combine shredded Provolone and Mozzarella cheese. Set this aside as well.

Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, mix Ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and black pepper. Set this aside.

Prepare Pasta: Cook Ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Mix Sauces: Combine Marinara and Alfredo sauces in a bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of this sauce mixture for later.

Combine Pasta with Sauces and Cheese: To the remaining sauce mixture, stir in the Provolone and Mozzarella cheese mixture. Then, gently toss the cooked Ziti with this cheese-sauce mixture.

Layering: In a 13″x9″x2″ baking pan, spread the reserved 1/4 cup sauce mixture evenly at the bottom. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce mixture.

Dollop the Ricotta mixture on top of the pasta. Finally, sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.

Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled Ziti for 13-15 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.

Instructions For Marinara Sauce:

Cook Onions and Garlic: In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until they turn golden brown (about 6-8 minutes).

Add Tomatoes: Stir in crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Simmer: Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Finish with Basil: After removing from heat, stir in the chopped fresh basil.Enjoy your homemade Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti!

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• Helen’s Broccoli Casserole Recipe
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Variations & Tips For Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe

Variations:

Vegetarian Delight: Skip the Alfredo sauce (which may contain dairy and eggs) and double up on the marinara sauce for a tomato-rich flavor. Add roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms to the mix for added texture and nutrients.

Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporate spicy Italian sausage (cooked and crumbled) into the sauce mixture. You can also add red chili flakes to the marinara sauce to elevate the spice level, creating a zesty version of the classic dish.

Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free Ziti pasta to make this dish accessible to those with gluten sensitivities. Ensure that the bread crumbs used for the topping are also gluten-free. This small switch makes the beloved baked Ziti available to everyone without compromising on taste.

Tips:

Cheese Layering: To achieve a gooey, cheesy texture throughout, layer some of the cheese mixture in the middle of the pasta before adding the final layer on top. This creates pockets of melted cheese within the pasta, making every bite deliciously cheesy.

Pasta Cook Time: When boiling the Ziti, cook it until it’s just al dente (still slightly firm). It will continue to cook in the oven, and this prevents it from becoming too mushy after baking.

Let It Rest: After taking your baked Ziti out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This resting time allows the dish to set a bit, making it easier to cut into servings and ensuring that the cheese and sauces are distributed more evenly when it’s dished out.

What To Serve With Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti?

Serving Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti, you’ll want some delicious sides that complement its rich and cheesy flavor. Here are some simple and tasty options:

Garlic Bread: A classic pairing! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the sauces from the baked Ziti. It adds a nice garlicky crunch that contrasts the soft pasta.

Green Salad: A fresh green salad with a simple dressing (like vinaigrette) can balance the richness of the baked Ziti. Ingredients like mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions add freshness and a bit of crunch.

Roasted Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, roasted with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, offer a healthy and flavorful side. The roasting brings out their natural sweetness, which pairs nicely with the savory pasta.

Caesar Salad: Another excellent salad option, Caesar salad, with its creamy dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons, offers a rich flavor that complements the baked Ziti without overpowering it.

Steamed Green Beans: For something simpler, lightly steamed green beans seasoned with a bit of butter, salt, and lemon zest can be a light and refreshing side that adds color and nutrition to your meal.

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•  Cici’s Alfredo Pizza Recipe
• Mastro’s Lobster Mashed Potatoes Recipe

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Buca Di Beppo Baked Ziti Recipe brings the comfort and warmth of Italian cuisine right into your home. It skillfully combines the tangy taste of marinara with the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce, all while enveloping your favorite pasta in a blanket of melted cheeses and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.

This dish not only satisfies your cravings for something hearty but also invites you to customize it to your liking, whether by adding vegetables, making it spicy, or even going for a meatier version. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, it’s a versatile recipe that promises to delight everyone at the table.