Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients:
- Pasta: 1 pound ziti or penne
- Ground Beef: 1 pound (or ground turkey/sausage as an alternative)
- Onion: 1 medium (about 1 cup), finely chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Dried Basil: 1 teaspoon (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup
- Marinara Sauce: 3 cups (store-bought or homemade)
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
- Olive Oil: for sautéing
- Optional: Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Boil Water: Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add the ziti or penne to the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente (typically 1-2 minutes less than the package suggests for a firmer texture). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain: Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta and toss to prevent sticking if it will be sitting for a while.
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Onion: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until the onion is translucent and softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Season: Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add Sauce: Pour in 3 cups of marinara sauce. Stir and let simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti or penne with the meat sauce. Add 1 cup of ricotta cheese and mix until well incorporated.
- Assemble: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil. Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Top: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the Parmesan layer.
- Bake:
- Cook: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are lightly golden.
- Broil (Optional): For extra browning, you can turn the oven to broil for an additional 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve:
- Cool: Let the baked ziti cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad.
Tips:
- Sauce: You can use homemade marinara sauce for a richer flavor. Just simmer tomatoes, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs for about 30 minutes.
- Cheese Variations: Mix and match cheeses according to your preference. Provolone, fontina, or a blend of Italian cheeses can be used for different flavors.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the baked ziti a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Bake it straight from the fridge, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Assemble and bake as directed, then let cool completely before freezing. To reheat, bake from frozen at 350°F for about 60 minutes, or until heated through.
Enjoy your comforting and cheesy Baked Ziti! 🍝