Description
A comforting and delicious baked ziti recipe featuring three cheeses and a rich meat sauce, perfect for cozy nights and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce, then add dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the large egg, and chopped fresh parsley until smooth and well mixed.
- Assemble the Baking Dish: In a large baking dish, spread a layer of the meat sauce. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce, then layer half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Repeat the layering by adding the remaining pasta, then the remaining ricotta mixture, and finish with the rest of the meat sauce.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the assembled dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make it easier to cut.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and substitute with sautéed vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Cottage cheese can be used as a substitute for ricotta if desired.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making it perfect for meal prep.
