Ziti with Vodka Sauce

Made at mom's (well, she made it after we discussed modifications). Super delicious, definitely have to make again!

 

Original recipe credit: https://www.foodandwine.com/baked-ziti-with-shortcut-vodka-sauce-8773570

Recipe below contains our modifications.

Ingredients:

8 oz. uncooked ziti

olive oil

3 links hot Italian sausage (12 oz.)

1 medium or 1/2 large yellow onion, finely chopped

2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

3 T. tomato paste

1/2 c. vodka

24 oz. jar marinara sauce (we used Mezzetta Marinara)

3/4 c. heavy cream

2/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan, divided

8 oz. whole-milk ricotta, divided

8 oz. shredded low-moisture whole milk mozzarella cheese, divided 

 

Directions:

 

1. Cook ziti according to package directions for al dente. After draining, rinse pasta and return to pot. set aside.

 

2. Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up into crumbles, until slightly browned (around 4-6 min.)

 

3. Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until softened (around 4 min.)

 

4. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, for around 2 min.

 

5. Deglaze pan with vodka, stirring, cooking, and scraping for around 1 min. 

 

6. Stir in the marinara sauce and cream. Bring to a simmer over medium-low, then keep simmering for 10 min. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375°F.

 

7. Remove from heat, then stir in 1/3 c. of the Parmesan. 

 

8. Pour around 1/3 of sauce into pot with reserved cooked ziti and stir to coat.

 

9. Spread around 1/3 of sauce over bottom of an 11" x 7" baking dish. Top with half of the ricotta, dolloping evenly over the sauce.

 

10. Layer half of the pasta evenly atop ricotta dollops layer. Top with half of the mozzarella.

 

11. Layer with the remaining half of pasta mixture, followed by remaining vodka sauce.

 

12. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Transfer to oven and bake for 30 min. Let rest for 5 min. prior to serving. Enjoy!