Zealous Zebra Ziti
This Zealous Zebra Ziti recipe is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of ziti pasta, Rao's marinara sauce, diced peppers, onions, black olives, pepperoni, and melted cheese is sure to please the whole family. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover pasta, making it a budget-friendly option as well.
The origins of this recipe are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have originated in the kitchens of a small Italian restaurant in New York City's Little Italy neighborhood. The restaurant's chef, a man named Tony, was known for his love of bold flavors and his willingness to experiment with different ingredients. One day, he decided to combine some of his favorite ingredients—ziti pasta, marinara sauce, peppers, onions, olives, pepperoni, and cheese—and the result was the Zealous Zebra Ziti. The dish was an instant hit with customers and soon became one of the restaurant's most popular menu items. Word of the Zealous Zebra Ziti eventually spread beyond Little Italy, and today it is enjoyed by people all over the world.
Zealous Zebra Ziti Zealous Zebra Ziti Zealous Zebra Ziti Zealous Zebra Ziti
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 cup Rao's marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions.
  3. While pasta is cooking, sauté bell peppers and onions in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil until softened.
  4. Drain pasta and add to a large bowl.
  5. Add marinara sauce, sautéed bell peppers and onions, olives, and pepperoni to the bowl and stir to combine.
  6. Pour mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  7. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Why It Works
  • The combination of flavors in this recipe is fantastic. The sweetness of the peppers and onions complements the savory flavors of the marinara sauce, olives, and pepperoni. The melted cheese adds a gooey richness that ties everything together.
  • This recipe is easy to make and can be tailored to your own tastes. If you don't have any black olives, you can substitute green olives. If you don't like pepperoni, you can leave it out or substitute another type of meat, such as sausage or ground beef.
  • This recipe is a great way to use up leftover pasta. Simply cook the pasta according to package directions and then follow the rest of the recipe as written.