DESI DOUBLE CHEESE BAKED ZITI
One of our favorite Meatless Monday meals during winter months is Desi Baked Ziti. It is always on rotation in our home kitchen. It became even easier when I discovered Pasta Sauce by Sambar Kitchen.
Yes using jarred sauces saves so much time when you are trying to get dinner on the table quickly. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this but I have always added my own spice blends anytime I use traditional jarred sauces. This immediately came to a halt when I was introduced to Pasta Sauce by Sambar Kitchen. The sauce has perfect spice blend and heat level so I no longer have to “desify” my sauce. Did I mention the sauce even includes paneer crumbs. For cheese fans, this recipe has double cheese: in the sauce and in the topping!
PREP TIME: 15 mins COOK TIME: 25 mins TOTAL TIME: 40 mins
Ingredients:
1 Chopped Zucchini
1 Chopped Green Bell Pepper
1 Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste by DG Pantry
1 tbsp Olive Oil by Costco
1 tbsp Red Chili Flakes by DG Pantry
1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack by Cabot
1 jar Pasta Sauce by Sambar Kitchen
1/2 box Ziti by Barilla
Salt to taste
Directions:
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Heat oven to 450F.
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Heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Heat Olive Oil. Add Ginger Garlic Paste by DG Pantry and saute until slightly brown.
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Add Zucchini, Green Bell Pepper and Red Bell Pepper. Saute 5 to 7 minutes until veggies are slightly soft.
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Add salt to taste.
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Add jar of Pasta Sauce by Sambar Kitchen. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
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Make Ziti by following the box instructions.
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In a medium size bake ware add half the sauce mixture. Layer on the cooked Ziti by Barilla. Add the remaining sauce mixture. Top with Shredded Monterey Jack. Garnish with Red Chili Flakes by DG Pantry.
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Bake in the over for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese melts and is slightly brown.
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Voila it’s ready! Tag your creations @desigalli and @priavanda.
BAKED FETA PASTA VIRAL TIKTOK RECIPE
Can’t take any credit for this pasta dish but added some more veggies to balance the carbs. It was invented in Finland in 2019 by @liemessa and it caused a feta shortage in that country. Earlier this year it was introduced on Tik Tok by @FeelGoodFoodie and it received over 4 mil views! The dish kept flooding my Instagram and TikTok feed with everyone, with the exception of one, declaring how delicious this dish is and how easy it was to make. I was really skeptical to try this viral Baked Feta Pasta Recipe. I thought to my self “how could a recipe call for 8oz of feta and not be overly salty?”. Don’t get me wrong. I love feta! Growing up in a Greek neighborhood in Montreal, we would have Greek food as often as Indian food. To ease my insecurities of feta saltiness, I reduced the amount to 4oz instead of the traditional 8oz you see elsewhere. And I wasn’t wrong. This dish is delicious! -Chef PriaVanda
PREP TIME: 10mins COOK TIME: 35 mins Total Time: 45 mins
Ingredients:
1 Chopped Zucchini
1/4 Sliced Red Onion
2 cups Cherry Tomatoes
4 Peeled Garlic Cloves
1/2 package Feta by Trader Joes
1/3 cup Olive Oil by Costco
1 tbsp Red Chili Flakes by DG Pantry
2 tsp Oregano by McCorrick’s
2 tsp Ground Black Pepper by DG Pantry
1/2 box Farfalle by Barilla
Directions:
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Heat oven to 400F.
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In an oven safe baking dish place feta in the center. Surround the Feta with Zucchini, Red Onions, Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic Cloves.
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Drizzle the entire dish with Olive Oil.
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Sprinkle Red Chili Flakes, Oregano and Ground Black Pepper over entire dish.
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Bake for 30 mins.
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Make Farfalle by following the instructions on the box.
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Increase oven temperature to Broil for 5 to 7 minutes. This will give the dish a nice sear and slight smoky taste.
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Remove the dish from oven and mash all the ingredients together.
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Add the Farfalle and mix together to combine.
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Voila it’s ready! Tag your creations @desigalli and @priavanda.
