Description
A comforting and classic Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring tender ziti tossed in a rich, savory meat and tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect as a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300g / 10oz ziti or penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion (brown, white or yellow), finely chopped
- 500g / 1 lb ground beef or pork (or 50/50 combo)
- 700g / 24 oz tomato passata (pureed tomato)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp paprika (plain or sweet)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 3/4 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta (optional)
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese (or other melting cheese)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Garnish
- Finely chopped parsley or basil (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to the package instructions minus 2 minutes to keep it slightly undercooked. Drain and return to the pot.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) to prepare for baking.
- Make sauce base: In a large skillet on high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Cook meat: Add ground beef or pork to the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Once fully browned, stir in the seasonings including fennel seeds (if using), paprika, cayenne or chili flakes, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Simmer sauce: Pour in the tomato passata, water, dried basil, oregano, and sugar. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Pour about 2 cups of the prepared sauce into the pot with the cooked ziti. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Assemble bake: Spread the sauced ziti evenly into a 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish. Dollop the ricotta cheese over the top, then pour the remaining sauce over the dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over everything.
- Bake: Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired, then serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use ziti or penne pasta as they hold the sauce well and bake nicely.
- The meat can be beef, pork, or a mix for richer flavor.
- Passata provides a smooth tomato sauce base; crushed tomatoes could be used as a substitute.
- Ricotta adds creaminess but can be omitted if preferred.
- Fennel seeds are optional but add a slight anise flavor.
- Cayenne or chili flakes can be adjusted or omitted for spice preference.
