This recipe guides you through making a rich and flavorful Baked Ziti with Vodka Sauce, featuring a creamy ricotta mixture, a robust meat sauce with pancetta and ground beef, and layers of cheese, all baked to perfection.
1. In a bowl, combine 1.5 cups of whole milk ricotta, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 0.25 cup of fresh chopped basil, and 1 egg. Season with dry oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
2. In a pan on medium heat, add 4 ounces of diced pancetta and 1 pound of ground beef. Cook until the liquid is reduced.
3. Add 2 large minced shallots, 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir them in.
4. Create a space in the center of the pan and add one 6-ounce can of tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes.
5. Pour in 1/3 cup of vodka and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Add 2 cups of heavy cream and one 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then turn off the heat.
7. Stir in 4 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce cool off.
8. While the sauce cools, cook 1 pound of Ziti pasta about 1 minute less than the suggested cooking time for an al dente texture.
9. Stir the cooked ziti into the sauce.
10. Add half of the ziti and sauce mixture to a 9x13 baking dish.
11. Layer with half of the ricotta mixture and half of the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
12. Repeat the layers one more time with the remaining ziti and sauce, ricotta mixture, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
13. Cook covered in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes.
14. Uncover the dish and cook under the broiler for a few minutes to achieve a nice cheesy crust. Check frequently to prevent burning.
15. Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Top with some fresh basil.
16. Enjoy!
