Tower of Stuffed Ziti

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PRESENTATION

Golden color and crispy edges stand out right away—Tower of Stuffed Ziti draws eyes (and hungry hands) at any gathering.Crispy on the outside with a soft, gooey middle, every bite delivers the cheese blend flavor families know from Olive Garden stuffed ziti fritta.Layers of ziti rigati packed with a five-cheese mixture make the center extra creamy and DELICIOUS, especially with a side of marinara sauce for dunking.Busy weeknights or weekend parties, this crowd-pleaser always works—nice portion size, fun to eat, and really satisfying.From game nights to birthday meals, it's a dish that feels special without any fuss.Home cooks rave about the simple joy it brings kids and parents alike—easy to serve, always gets smiles, and keeps friends reaching for more…no matter what else is on the table.

Families with busy schedules appreciate how this Tower of Stuffed Ziti easily fits anywhere—snack platter, main dish, or party centerpiece.Really shines for potluck dinners, holiday feasts, or even just after-school snacks (kids LOVE it with a side of alfredo or spicy marinara).Versatility matters: this ziti holds its fluffy texture whether warmed up in the air fryer or oven, and goes perfectly with a fresh green salad or simple garlic bread.Serving with classic dips like marinara sauce makes every bite pop, but you can mix it up for picky eaters too!Sometimes a dish just checks all the boxes—eyecatching, great flavor, fun to share, and always dependable for happy dinners.Whenever families want restaurant-style comfort without leaving home, this cheesy pasta tower brings that nice Italian flavor everyone loves—the kind of meal people remember, ask for again, and recommend to friends.Home cooks who want something easy but impressive tend to keep this in regular rotation, since it looks good and tastes even better!

INGREDIENTS

Ziti pasta 1.1 lbs (500 g)
Cream cheese 1.1 cups (250 g)
Basil - a few leaves
Chives to taste
Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 7 oz (200 g) - to grate
Pine nuts 3 spoonfuls
Fine salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Speck 3.5 oz (100 g) - sliced
for the béchamel
Whole milk 2.1 cups (500 ml)
Type 00 flour ⅓ cup (50 g)
Butter 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)
Preparation

How to prepare Tower of Stuffed Ziti

To prepare the tower of stuffed ziti, start by cooking the ziti al dente 1 and letting them cool. Prepare a Béchamel sauce with the quantities of ingredients listed above.
Cut the slices of speck into julienne strips 2 and toast them slightly in a pan without oil. Mix the toasted speck with the béchamel 3 and set aside.

Even out the ziti and cut them all to the same length with the help of scissors. Put the fresh spreadable cheese in a bowl, add finely chopped chives and basil 5, and mix everything together. Use a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip to fill the ziti with the prepared cream 6.

Take a baking dish and start assembling: place two tablespoons of béchamel with speck and arrange a layer of stuffed ziti side by side 7. On top of the ziti, place another layer of béchamel and Parmesan cheese 8. Finish with some pine nuts 9. Arrange more stuffed ziti on top of the béchamel in the opposite direction. Repeat the process until the ingredients are used up and a tower of ziti is created. Finish with grated Parmesan and bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about fifteen minutes until the tower of stuffed ziti is well gratinated!

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