The Best Baked Ziti - Food Wishes

If there’s a large Italian-American community near where you live, there’s a great chance you’re familiar with baked ziti. Done right, it’s a real crowd pleaser, and an easier to make alternative to lasagna. And what does “done right” mean? You’re about to see. Enjoy!
For the fully formatted, printable, written recipe, follow this link:
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/281...
To become a Member of Food Wishes, and read Chef John’s in-depth article about The Best Baked Ziti, follow this link:
/ @foodwishes
You can also find more of Chef John’s content on Allrecipes: allrecipes.com/recipes/16791/e...

[@sedoff1948]

Here in Vietnam running across this video. It’s so good to hear you, Chef John. I’ll have to retry this recipe upon return. Thanks.

[@E-A-Z-Y]

Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in 👐

[@RochelletheRealtor]

Nate I know. I made the stuffed bell peppers last night and thought to myself that I could take a break. And here I am again.

[@halgallagher4560]

The godfather.... nice 👌😌

[@tamerabbas7641]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FinneyRaju]

Sopranoooos

[@potsycollins9432]

@@FinneyRaju I thought the same e em though he's doing an impression from godfather I always of think sopranos first

[@carmineprongus4438]

This recipe is awesome! I brought it to a “waste management business” potluck and all coworkers all loved it!

[@andrewah05]

Thats where I saw it, that "waste management potluck" brought me here.

[@peyton713]

/r/suspiciousquotes

[@willneverreadreplies]

You’re also part of a certain Italian American subculture?

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

..the mob?

[@soulsidejourney2693]

nice pfp and funny joke

[@kathrynspruill3793]

Love the way Chef John washes the jars with water. Just like Mom. Waste not, want not.

[@yoonjaywon]

for some reason i remembered chef john today and decided to check in. just had a huge nostalgia coming back to me. i watched foodwishes since the strawberry pavlova video 8 years ago and i was 13 and i was still living back home. im 21 now and it made my day at how chef john is still active. more power to your chef! 🙏

[@tb4954]

Dang you’re really cute lol

[@TheVijuvi]

I've been a fan since the exact same video back in 2012! Damn the time flies

[@mauz791]

That's amazing!

[@LiveLNXgaming]

Welcome to the future!! were sorry.

[@machiavellianos]

????

[@thewanderer2041]

Chef John always had the makings of a varsity athlete!

[@jeypeepsv1]

This is my last Sunday dinner here!!! Lol

[@Boobalopbop]

"What? So no fkn ziti now?"

[@NITROg0d]

Janice.. Thats Karen's Ziti..

[@vickygardner5679]

This video really helped me make the best EVER! I made it for my sons birthday party and my entire family loved it. It was completely gone by the end. My aunt (who is known for her baked ziti) said it was the best ziti she ever had in her life! And she’s already requesting that I make her another one. What a compliment! Thank you kind sir!!

[@maurice7511]

good day mate i made this for my grandkids they helped grate the cheese,stirring he is 7 she is 5 and thrre is nothing left all gone. this recipe will be done again and again. thankyou. thankyou from Australia. cheers mate

[@Skulliosis_Art]

My cooking has definitely leveled up since I started using your recipes

[@evasketches]

I can relate. He is one of the very few youtube cooks from who I've actually made many recipes

[@daphnepearce9411]

@@evasketches Me too

[@wm1573]

@@evasketches it's because he makes realistic and delicious recipes

[@NineTammy]

It’s just a shame his voice is so irritating.

[@smartytheprofessor5887]

great recipes and he's entertaining as can be. we love Chef John

[@jjred2986]

You are the James Gandolfini of your baked ziti

[@lizzybizzy3017]

JJCheeker, Yesssss! Omg 😆😆😆 And I am totally in the middle of my yearly The Sopranos marathon. 😁

[@petejano5043]

JJCheeker ......awesome ! you officially won the internet today !

[@SCSilk]

@@lizzybizzy3017 how funny-so am I!

[@drivernephi2212]

John really, really missed a beautiful opportunity right there.

[@edmfperez]

“Whaaaat no fucking ziti?” “WOAHHH”

[@JH-pp3kr]

has anyone noticed that Chef John's voice delivery trails off at the end of each sentence, giving it that unique tone and comfort that makes you want to hear more?

[@adamchurvis1]

Yep, most of them are dry as a bone. Yours looks PERFECT. Bravo, Maestro!

[@comradecaptain5710]

Baked Ziti was one of the most popular meals at pretty much every firehouse I ever worked in. It was one of the first dishes I learned how to cook when I was a probationary firefighter 30 years ago. I still love it.

[@marwandudin7630]

“Janice that’s Karen’s Last Ziti” - Bobby Baccalieri

[@jonsnow4927]

I've been rewatching the Sopranos and this made me LOL so hard

[@bong9130]

Also when Bobby thinks Janice's cooked the ziti but Junior tells him it is actually Carmela's.

[@jonsnow4927]

@@bong9130 Janice never had the makings of a variety athlete lol

[@johnmcgrady4397]

My favorite scene with Janice, Carmella, Bobby, and Tony was at the cabin playing cards. Tony singing: "Under the boardwalk, with his schlong in Jan's mouth", followed by Bobby decking Tony in the face. Hilarious scene. #RIPJamesGandolfini

[@chefdan87]

@@bong9130 "Sweet sausage and a layer of basil in between the cheese? That's Carmela's lasagna!"

[@RobMyself]

I watch a MILLION cooking videos on KZbin. I've been watching this Western NY comrade for years. Whatever technique or recipe I always come back to get grounded. My man always brings the killer basics that make my dishes awesome

[@jsunnj76]

Couldn't have said it better Chef John is among the essentials for any home cook.

[@connievidales268]

I made this last week when my family arrived for Christmas. I followed the recipe almost exactly, just using mostly spicy sausage. Used Barilla Marinara sauce because it was on sale. It came out wonderfully. Served with some fresh baked rolls and everyone was raving. It makes a very large amount too, and my husband is thrilled with the hearty leftovers he takes for lunch. Will be a go-to meal for me anytime I am cooking for 4+ hungry people! Thank you!

[@moist5717]

Should consider giving Del Grosso (Pennsylvania based company) sauce a try. I especially like the tomato basil blend. Inexpensive, and delicious. I learned of them after they donated to a spaghetti benefit dinner for a friend. Good company, gives back to the community 👍🏻

[@soxnation1000]

I'm a year late to your comment, but I love Barilla marinara for any pasta dishes...for some reason it just works the best for me!

[@connievidales268]

@@soxnation1000 Perfect timing for the comment, because I'm going to be making this again and now I don't have to search for the video! 😊

[@soxnation1000]

@@connievidales268 Yay! ☺️Glad my random youtube commenting resulted in something positive lol!

[@pretendtobenormal8064]

Del Grosso pasta sauce is AWESOME!@@moist5717

[@vengeance1701]

"Well, it is, and we can't." That made me do the literal LOL.

[@notyrants]

I'm gonna make this next week and I'll be the Nefertiti of my baked ziti.

[@elysivm_]

amazing

[@bholmes5490]

LOL

[@Swim2TheMoon]

Way better than Chef John's!

[@valbernmur2936]

Tell us how it goes!

[@notyrants]

@@valbernmur2936 Thank you for asking. I made it last night and I was, in fact, The queen of the nile.

[@danao1796]

Got this in the oven as I'm typing this comment! I added fresh mushrooms, garlic and basil to my sauce....... can't wait! Thanks Chef John! 🍅🍝🍷🇮🇹

[@danao1796]

It was delicious! Extra saucy is the way to go! And, a I added sliced provolone on top for the last 10 min,.....heaven!

[@AmethystTheEspeon]

Mmmmm! I wanna add mushrooms to mine. 😋

[@XjtBA]

Very similar to mine! I am Italian American, and I always mixed mozzarella with ricotta, even for my lasagne, manicotti, and stuffed shells. The only difference is I mix one egg, salt, pepper and parsley with my ricotta, then mix in the cubed mozzarella, and dollop on the pasta. I also prefer just to flavor my sauce with the hot Italian sausage links, remove the links after the sauce is cooked, and serve them separately, rather than add the sausage meat in my sauce.

[@HiVizCamo]

I love stuff like this to do on a Sunday afternoon, easy lunches and dinners through the week!

[@kirbyculp3449]

Always tastes better the next day

[@mhod1259]

Great. I just did a grocery run. Now I’m heading out again to get everything to make this tonight. Lol

[@miapdx503]

Same! I was so satisfied yesterday, today I need to buy ziti and sauces, sausage and cheeses...but I'm not really mad about it. 😏

[@swintsdeco6109]

I respect how long Chef John has been in this game and still be able to pull out new recipes week after week

[@kr6262]

Chef John, your recipes have wowed my guests and made me a confident cook, I thank you!!!

[@GuitarJawn]

My sisters makes TERRIBLE baked ziti. I mean so bad that if my grandparents were still alive, they wouldn't come for dinner. I am going to show her this video later.

[@cymophanous8193]

Lmao this comment is brutal...

[@ruthhunt5710]

😂😂😂😂

[@conman1395]

What makes it so terrible?

[@efa666]

I'm also curious how you ruin Ziti.

[@judyjohnson9610]

@@efa666 not enough sauce?

[@memestealer2561]

You are, after all, the James Gandolfini of making your ziti tomato-and-cheesey. And you're also the mafia boss of that marinara sauce!

[@WiseAilbhean]

Carmela, can I please have some moooooooore

[@machiavellianos]

Wtf are you babbling about?

[@WiseAilbhean]

Marc Velliano who?

[@tramekn]

Nice!

[@MythicFox]

I recently made this for the first time, probably the best ziti I've ever had. The fact that the leftovers reheated really well was an additional bonus.

[@utube0372]

Where have you been ALLLLLL my life?!? I LOVE your channel!

[@trafficsignal101]

Chef John actually made a dish without cayenne pepper. Hard to believe!

[@kaelenjennings1317]

Not so fast. There's cayenne in italian sausage

[@bo2720]

Would be awesome in this though

[@Roonasaur]

Naaaw, he's just comfortable enough with his audience now that he knows that we know it's always in there somewhere, no need to keep filming that part. ;)

[@jhoang861]

i added in anyway lol

[@wendyw4487]

and garlic...........where was the freakin' garlic??????

[@lyndsiejones3072]

I always love your instruction. You keep it simple and achievable.

[@notsojoerogan]

Thanks Chef John! I just made this exact recipe for my family. We loved it!

[@non-applicable3548]

Thanks for being the best active chef on KZbin, every recipe I look up you have already made a video for, I really appreciate your work!

[@jonathanhawkins4544]

I love the tip about the sauce amount, but this time of year I think there should be some fresh basil too. Thanks for all your hard work

[@sindylu3001]

I threw in some strips of fresh basil in the middle layer. Worked fabulously to brighten up the inner cheesy layer.

[@jonathanhawkins4544]

Cindy, I did the same and I really enjoyed it.

[@NITROg0d]

@@sindylu3001 That’s Carmelas Recipe!!!

[@theonewhoistornapart2506]

@@NITROg0d Haha. You and I may be the only ones here who know what you are referencing.

[@oraetblavora2375]

@@theonewhoistornapart2506 he got 4 likes so I guess you are not as special as you think

[@Zonnymaka]

You know, Chef John, i've been watching you closely for years: now i can tell (without any doubt) that your passion for the "cucina italiana" is real and you really try your best to honor our traditions. So i hereby solemnly give you the italian fellowship in cooking!

[@lydiavanderkooi5223]

your videos make me so happy, I dont even cook them ive just been watching since I was 10 and im 18 now. your videos give me incredible nostalgia and comfort, thank u chef john!

[@brickbreaker9581]

You always have the best recipe s on KZbin with easy to follow directions. Thank you !!!

[@justachick9793]

Ah, Food Wishes! One of only 2 channels I have notifications on for. ❤

[@lag_profil]

And the other one?

[@antichavista82]

I've been re watching "The Sopranos" lately and was actually wondering how to make ziti, thanks chef!

[@tony_r_pierce]

I always think of Bobby being reluctant to eat "Karen's last ziti."

[@ztiberiusd]

What, no fuckin' ziti now?

[@Quantum36911]

@@ztiberiusd That's what I was thinking! Thank you for being the one to say that famous line!

[@cashisrock]

I've always wanted to make this dish but never had the occasion. Many Saints of Newark release on 10/1. FINALLY

[@barbaratibbets8643]

OK, I did try and my guests loved it!! Thanks!

[@room2growrose623]

Everything I’ve made of yours turns out fantastic!! What I love most is the brevity of your presentation. Thank you!!

[@Getpojke]

Oh that looks so tasty, and luckily I was sitting here watching this while just finishing up practicing making Garganelli by hand! So I've a large pile of garganelli tubes just crying out for a dish to try them out in, hope they live up to your great looking recipe.

[@lilydell948]

i am so jealous of you right now.

[@Getpojke]

@@lilydell948 They were a bit of work to make, but they worked out well in the dish and it was very tasty. Chef John never steers us wrong!

[@ilovegoodsax]

Yes, I will be giving this recipe a try -- soon!😋❤

[@pamk9333]

I love your channel. You post the ABSOLUTE best recipes plus listening to you is a joy. I love your voice. Thanks for sharing. Looks scrumptious.

[@SamanthaMwrites]

I’m making Chef John’s recipe this afternoon, and I have to say: not only do I have a great meal to look forward to later, but simmering the sauce for 1 hour is a legitimate form of aromatherapy. It’s DELIGHTFUL.

[@miriamcooper1320]

Ohhhh I am getting my autumn batch of sauce made... ziti just looks like something I need tonight.

[@kevinking7991]

Love baked ziti. Lasagna is a pain in the ass to make.

[@ritabrunetti381]

Hello Chef John. I married an Italian young man years ago...44 years ago. In our early years I watched his mom and aunts cook. There are so many dishes that I've mastered, if I say so myself. It's fun knowing that my husband appreciates my cooking. This recipe sounds yummy. I'll add it to my collection of great recipes.

[@jayveenkaur2453]

Chef John you truly are the Best! In love with all of your recipes. Thank you for helping me cook delicious meals for my family and friends ❤

[@sputnik151]

Spent election night (and morning) making bulk amounts of Chef John's Tomato Sauce recipe and then using the sauce to make 6 trays of his Baked Zitis. Best ziti I've ever had! I subbed mild sausage for most of the hot to make it palatable to my kids, because I'm the Nefertiti of my baked ziti. Thanks, Chef John!

[@Learnamericanenglishonline]

The suggestions for the sauce are very helpful. Great video!

[@beekind6267]

Indeed. I hate dry pasta recipes like ziti and lasagna.

[@renauldocaldwell58]

It looks like Rao's but don't quote me. After all you're the boss of your pasta sauce.

[@Spadesz93]

The only jarred sauce worth using is Rao’s

[@moffix]

Like this version much better than always serving extra sauce on the side.

[@lavendertwilight08]

This is one of the first dishes that got me hooked on Italian food! Happy my cousin married an Italian American into our Caribbean family. Lots of great flavors to share

[@nicolecaudillo4855]

I just made your Ziti, my family & I LOVED it. Thanks for your videos!!

[@frankyramone]

I’ve been watching The Sopranos on HBOMax so this is perfect.

[@djasonromero]

Gonna make it tomorrow or tonight to celebrate movie being out!

[@leed5450]

I made this two weeks ago and added some extra seasoning (heavy handed). Soooo delicious . Rao’s jarred sauce is bomb !!

[@The578unit]

Just have to say that I've made this recipe so many times and it never disappoints. I make it and the American goulash recipe on alternate weeks and I love them both.

[@RogerC68]

OMG OMG, just made this for my mother for Mothers Day and it's FANTASTIC!! I used what I had so it's not exactly the same as yours, however, just amazing!! Thank you John for inspiring me once again!!

[@Doccerz]

I lost the bet. This time I thought for sure you would say “after all, you are the Nefertiti of your baked ziti.”

[@whazzat8015]

All the pity

[@devinmichaelroberts9954]

gandolfini of your baked ziti is funnier and makes more sense!

[@Lovedhurtlost]

OMGGG, I was literally walking into my kitchen to fix baked ziti for the first time, but decided to get on KZbin to look at another chef’s recipe one more time, and then I saw this! 😂😩

[@hussi125]

I don't cook much but your videos always bring a smile to my face. Thanks chef John! :D

[@SarahLizDoan]

Oh mouth watering!!! YUM, yum, yum!!! Excellent recipe! Thank you!

[@CornerTalker]

This turned out well - he's right about the needed liquid. I was surprised there was no garlic, but it was just fine without it.

[@lisafenixx]

Chef John, You are the BEST!

[@kimberlyrobinson3992]

You speak the truth, madam!

[@devoncampbell531]

@icy Mike little fart boy huh

[@tramekn]

Made it tonight. Family loved it. Thank you Chef John!

[@rogertrujillo7423]

My kids always say "it's not the holidays until we hear Chef John's voice on the television every day "

[@truecoug2424]

Lazy man's lasagna. Looks delicious.

[@BADeByrd]

I can't argue with the facts here. I do make ziti if I don't have the energy for lasagna.

[@Alex-hy9cw]

@@BADeByrd This honestly is more effort than Lasagna for me. (then again I pre-prep most of my things)

[@Kdog4660]

@@BADeByrd basically why I make ziti far more than lasagna.

[@inisus]

good description

[@scoochalot8486]

@ungratefulmetalpansy i would add spinach too, either in that layer or cut it up into the sauce before you put it in the oven in the baking dish

[@laurachapman3157]

My husband doesn't want to be vegan anymore because of your channel! 🤦‍♀️ It was a great 3 year run and everyday he is more and more over it. 🥴 I'm all about extra sauce too! 🥰

[@annother3350]

He tried it -- it wasnt for him. People shouldnt beat themselves up about eating meat. I hate those preachy Vegans trying to make us feel guilty!

[@laurachapman3157]

@@annother3350 My husband is the one who started our family on the vegan journey. No preachy vegan here, but it is hard to start thinking about eating animal products again after not doing so for 3+ years. No one is making anyone feel bad about eating meat or animal products for that matter. Just trying to be humorous, nothing more to it. My husband said starting in January we would start adding certain foods back, but the more he keeps watching this channel, that is getting thrown out the window...🤷‍♀️😊🤣😅

[@annother3350]

@@laurachapman3157 I wasnt pointing the finger at you guys Laura -- you're not even Vegan. The internet however is full of vegan preachers trying to convert people. I've tried veganism and it doesnt work for me so I wont feel guilty every mealtime! Just tell your husband he doesnt need to feel guilty.

[@laurachapman3157]

@@annother3350 No worries, just didn't want any confusion. We all have been on the vegan diet, not just my husband. He is fine, it's me that is having that weird feeling in my tummy. 😔🤷‍♀️ After watching What The Health, it definitely made me look at everything differently. I'm sure it will get easier overtime though.

[@annother3350]

@@laurachapman3157 I'm sure some people feel a lot of torment. My french friend was vegetarian for decades and then one day she caved in and ravaged a steak. Now she only tries to buy what she terms 'happy meat' -- she tries to make sure the meat she buys has had a good life so that she no longer feels bad about eating it!

[@rachelgeesey9778]

I've been watching your channel for years. Thanks for all your work.

[@HLR4th]

I made this and yes, hands down not only the best ziti I have ever made, but the best ziti I've ever eaten! I was blown away by the very first forkful- I actually got a tiny squirt of sauce when I bit down! Amazing. Thank you!

[@leafsoup]

I was gonna make lasagna today but this video popped up in my recommended so I went to the store and got the stuff for this.

[@brickbreaker9581]

Lots easier to make and so delicious too !!

[@mstej555]

Chef John, I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now and I’m proud to say (although it’s a simple recipe) I could “predict” all the procedure and the tricks you used to avoid potential problems or at least to make this better than average - rinsing the jars, undercooking pasta, mixing pasta and sauce to allow pasta to absorb some sauce and of course that you’ll make a mess :P Thanks for making me a better cook!

[@FakeNameGoesHere]

Don't forget the "olllddd Shaka Shaka"

[@TestAccount-bq1nc]

Reminds me of my grandmother....looks delicious, as always

[@pattimcq8062]

I am fixing this beautiful dish tonight for our big family! Can’t wait! Thank you, chef John, and MERRY 🎄🎄🎄CHRISTMAS🎄🎄

[@TartanJack]

Queens. 1967. Ziti so good I wanted to add a vowel to the end of my name and wash dishes and bus tables just to be near that stuff. I suspect this version may even surpass that.

[@Quantum36911]

I had ziti for the first time in Queens. My ex-boyfriend's sister made it. I almost cried when I tasted it....I knew we were not going out much longer and I would never get to eat it again!

[@KAESowicz]

Most cheeses sold grated in a package contain anti-caking agent so they have problem melting. It's usually a bad idea to use them in recipes that require to melt them.

[@georgeprout42]

You're right, but it also depends where you live. I've done a lot of comparisons of ingredients of common items sold in both UK/US recently and it's amazing how different some are. Unscientific study from hitting the first relevent items I see on a couple of websites... Grated Mozzarella: From Walmart (US) - Ingredients: Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Vitamin A Palmitate), Calcium Sulfate, Potato Starch and Cellulose Powder Added to Prevent Caking, Natamycin (a Natural Mold Inhibitor). From Asda (Walmart owned company in UK) - Mozzarella Cheese (from Milk), Potato Starch I wouldn't buy pre-grated anyway, Mozzarella is one of the easiest cheeses to make at home. Potato starch is something I often use as a thickener for sauces instead of cornflour (aka corn starch), but gypsum (CaSO4) and cellulose? No thanks! Natamycin doesn't sound fun either, fermented bacteria. Yum. Shelf life I guess. Tldr; just don't buy ready grated cheese. And make Mozzarella at least once in your life, you'll be amazed with what you made yourself in less than an hour.

[@KAESowicz]

@@georgeprout42 making your own cheese isn't that easy. I don't know anything about food in US, never had contact with it. I guess it might also depend on the price of the product. I think also that food on continent is better than in UK. The food I ate in Netherlands, even though cheap, was better than that in UK.

[@georgeprout42]

@@KAESowicz You're right. Febo is the finest food in the world 🙈

[@KAESowicz]

@@georgeprout42 Febo?

[@nktrs]

Perhaps he'd already grated the cheese beforehand to save time

[@NoLeftTurn54321]

I'm going to make it this coming weekend - thanks for the recipe and tips

[@SassyScrapper]

I followed the recipe exactly along with an added 1/4 cup chopped basil into the sauce just before layering. My husband loved it.

[@a.kasper8596]

This dude thinks of everything! Thanks, Chef John!

[@stormshadowctf]

Not homemade sauce, apparently.

[@playwithyourfood1962]

i love it when the ziti gets stuffed with some sausage and sauce throughout the cooking process

[@tramekn]

This looks delicious and something I can do! Thanks Chef John.

[@jbaz964]

I've made at least 20 of your recipes and I give every one of them 5 out of 5 stars! Food wishes is the best! Thanks Chef John!

[@jadestar0883]

Rao’s tomato sauce is so good.

[@saf2127]

Agree! I was skeptical it was worth the price before I tried it, but it really is the best.

[@DietBajaBlast]

Victoria White Linen is good also

[@mike856ms]

I'm going to have to try it. You're the like the 4th or 5th person to say this.

[@cainpitt]

The only sauce remotely close to what Italians make at home. Less sugar. What the hell is with that jarred stuff and all the sugar?

[@mike856ms]

@Peggy Smulligan I was in Kroger yesterday. By chance I was in the tomato sauce aisle. Rao's was $7.00 a jar. I said to myself "That's a NO" I don't mind a jar sauce if it's good although I make my own from my garden I can each summer. At $7.00 I think that's ridiculous.

[@kunfussed213]

😠😭 I'm tired of waiting to be adopted. I'm adopting you, Chef John. 😂😊.

[@donnalamb5830]

kunfussed213 Take a number, buddy 😝

[@kimquinn7728]

Those are wonderful comments. He is fantastic, I agree.

[@kunfussed213]

@@donnalamb5830 What number? 🔫😠 I'm not sharing! 😋

[@EricLeafericson]

KZbin needs to give us an "Adopt" button

[@rhettlover1]

Hey, I never expected to be adopted, just that I would be a live-in housekeeper for room and board!

[@joaliseyulfo6665]

Just made this following your recipe and it turned out awesome... I loooooved it

[@cherylvalentine693]

Oh yum! I’d love to have some of that. I’m making this this weekend. Thank you Chef John

[@Jonathan.H.]

Just reserve around a cup of the sauce to go on top, saving all that stuff about straining it a bit as you ladle it into the dish.

[@lisacabral5320]

Oh My! That looks so good! I wonder if goat cheese would taste great with this...

[@showmethescience2514]

I made this yesterday and it turned out perfectly. Can’t wait to have it tonight again. It’s expensive to make but it makes so many servings that it’s still an economical dish. Absolutely delish!

[@jeanetpina6839]

THE BEST!!! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

“Second verse, same as the first!” Who else caught the Herman’s Hermits reference?

[@patricklarry6645]

No one, because we're not 100 years old..

[@ruthamos2312]

@@patricklarry6645 Oh come on. I caught the reference and I'm only 72!

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

@@patricklarry6645 YOU ARE A CHILD AND A FOOL

[@woodboybob]

I did

[@DetroitDiesel671]

Herman's Hermits? ...Please. Chef John was obviously referring to the Ramones song "Judy is a Punk."

[@gailneal]

Favorite Sopranos quote: "So, what - no f@#*ing ziti now?" Problem solved!

[@Jackson-ms8zs]

Came to the comments for this!

[@Jack-de2ds]

Same lol

[@winterrose9070]

I tried this recipe last night for dinner and it was absolutely wonderful!! Thank you so very much! I am liking and subscribing right now!!

[@jhankd]

Thanks for what you do Chef John!! You have really helped me develop my skills. Please keep going!!!

[@monolitan]

Brb, time to bingewatch Sopranos!

[@boxheit7407]

To Junior 🍷

[@icanwatchthevideos]

I love chef John but he's got nothing on Karen's ziti

[@miapdx503]

Yes, it's time...😎

[@darkwinter8]

"Mandatory requirement" Chef John must have been a college professor at some point in his career, because that sounds like something you'd see on a syllabus.

[@briang.2218]

Dude imagine a class with Chef John at culinary school. Would be great

[@lindamasar1194]

chef john....I appreciate your tasty recipes, and love your sense of humor....watching your videos makes me a wise cook and smile alot.

[@MariesScrappyCreations]

My Dad was a chef and his style was a lot like yours. He used to make a baked ziti full of mushrooms, onions, peppers, sausage and ground beef. He also placed cheese similar to yours! Thank you so much!

[@LaurelCasey]

Gotta use Rao’s marinara - you can even find it at Costco! It’s to die for!! 🍝

[@shellyhill6804]

So true. You literally need to add NOTHING to Rao’s sauce-it’s already perfect.

[@janicekociol7702]

Rao is my favorite.

[@buffy2875]

Thanks , I've been wanting to try it , being half Italian myself I always make my own sauce , but sometimes I just want a quick meal.

[@shannacoleman5232]

I caught a glimpse of the jar in his hand. It is hands down the best!

[@BBCHZ]

"Jar sauce! Yum!!" - said no Italian, ever.

[@CBeatty59]

BBCHZ it’s homemade and jarred.

[@CassieLino]

He said its italian American

[@BBCHZ]

@@CBeatty59 including the Rao's label?

[@BBCHZ]

@@CassieLino We who identify as Italian Americans don't eat sauce from a jar.

[@bjorn-falkoandreas9472]

@@BBCHZWhile I share the sentiment, WTF is an Italian American? And they really agreed on making you their spokesperson?

[@silverviv]

Not only are your recipes delicious, practical, and easy to make, but you are very entertaining!

[@williamgordon3577]

Nice recipe and excellent advise for proper preparation... Making this today for our Christmas dinner and can't wait to taste the results. Thanks for sharing this!