Description
Classic Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender pasta layered with a rich meat and tomato sauce, creamy ricotta mixture, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings, delivering flavorful warmth and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (500 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti or penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Add dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Mix Cheeses: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of the prepared meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer Ingredients: Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Add half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta, then layer the remaining pasta. Top everything with the rest of the meat sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to heat through and blend flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Use either ground beef or Italian sausage based on preference or a combination for added flavor.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice hint of heat to the sauce.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
