Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a casserole-type dish consisting of tubular pasta called ziti that is baked with a variety of other ingredients, mostly chunky sauces, cheese, meat, and vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, and onions. The dish is considered a hybrid of Italian and American cuisines, basically an Americanized variety of a typical Italian dish, pasta al forno, which is commonly compared to baked ziti.

The casserole is often served as a casual appetizer, cut into big slices, and it is best accompanied by a bowl of green salad. However, it can also be served as a meal on its own, making it a great comfort food for a rainy afternoon. Interestingly, the dish was especially popularized when it appeared in an episode of the hit TV show The Sopranos as one of the favorite dishes of Tony Soprano's wife, Carmela.