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Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 150 reviews

Classic Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta baked with a savory meat marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This hearty baked pasta dish delivers layers of rich flavors and gooey texture, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground sausage)
  • 28 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, quantity as preferred)

Cheese Mixture

  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley (finely minced)
  • 1 tsp fresh basil (finely minced)
  • 1 garlic clove (grated)
  • 1 egg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced or torn)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F to prepare for baking the ziti later.
  2. Brown the meat: In a large pot or deep skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Season the meat with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for robust flavor.
  3. Prepare the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), and optional red pepper flakes. Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes to meld the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Reserve 2 cups of this meat sauce for later layering.
  4. Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  5. Mix the cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, parmesan cheese, egg, finely minced parsley, basil, and grated garlic. Season with salt and pepper and mix well until creamy and evenly combined.
  6. Assemble the first layer: Add the cooked ziti pasta to the meat sauce and stir well. Spread half of this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer, then sprinkle fresh mozzarella cheese slices on top.
  7. Build the second layer: Pour the reserved 2 cups of meat sauce evenly over the first layer. Add the remaining half of the ziti pasta followed by the remaining ricotta cheese mixture. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  8. Bake the ziti: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese.
  9. Broil for a golden top: Switch your oven to broil and broil the ziti for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  10. Garnish and serve: Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this classic, cheesy baked pasta dish!

Notes

  • Ground sausage can be used instead of ground beef for a different flavor profile.
  • Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat but can be omitted for milder taste.
  • Using fresh herbs in the cheese mixture enhances freshness but dried herbs can be substituted in smaller amounts.
  • Do not overcook the pasta as it will continue cooking in the oven and could become mushy.
  • Covering the dish while baking helps steam the pasta, then uncovering allows the cheese to brown nicely.
  • Broiling is quick so watch carefully to avoid burning the top cheese layer.
  • This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.

Keywords: Baked Ziti, Italian Pasta Casserole, Comfort Food, Cheese Pasta Bake, Ziti with Meat Sauce

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/classic-baked-ziti-recipe/