Baked Ziti
A classic, comforting Baked Ziti featuring al dente pasta layered with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, baked until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
- •8 oz ziti pasta
- •1 lb ground beef
- •1 tablespoon olive oil
- •1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- •3 garlic cloves, minced
- •28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- •6 oz can tomato paste
- •0.5 cup water or beef broth
- •1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- •0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- •1.5 teaspoon salt
- •0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- •15 oz container whole milk ricotta cheese
- •1 large egg
- •0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, divided
- •2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- •2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- 1.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- 2.
Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente (it should still have a slight bite as it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain well and set aside.
- 3.
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- 4.
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water or beef broth, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it gently simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 6.
While the sauce simmers, prepare the ricotta mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, large egg, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- 7.
Assemble the Baked Ziti: Spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- 8.
Add half of the cooked ziti evenly over the sauce layer.
- 9.
Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the ziti.
- 10.
Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
- 11.
Add another layer of half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
- 12.
Top with the remaining ziti.
- 13.
Dollop the remaining ricotta mixture over the ziti.
- 14.
Pour the rest of the meat sauce evenly over the ricotta layer.
- 15.
Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 16.
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- 17.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted, lightly golden brown, and bubbly.
- 18.
Let the Baked Ziti rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for easier serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- 💡Do not overcook the pasta initially. It should be al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven and absorb moisture from the sauce.
- 💡Drain the ground beef thoroughly after browning to prevent a greasy final dish.
- 💡For an extra rich flavor, use whole milk ricotta cheese. Some recipes add a touch of nutmeg to the ricotta mixture for an authentic Italian touch.
- 💡Allow the Baked Ziti to rest for at least 10-15 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set, making it easier to cut and serve neat portions.
- 💡If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the ground beef and add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the tomato sauce.
Recipe from TheCookbook.ai
Created by Basil Roux