Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

Introduction

Classic baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and a blend of creamy cheeses. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners or easy weeknight meals that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 lb ground beef or ground sausage
• 28 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (with juice)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, brown the ground beef completely. Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Step 3: Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Reserve 2 cups of the sauce for later.
4. Step 4: While the sauce simmers, cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parmesan, egg, parsley, basil, and grated garlic. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the meat sauce and stir to combine thoroughly.
7. Step 7: Spread half of the pasta mixture in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over it and scatter pieces of fresh mozzarella on top.
8. Step 8: Pour the reserved 2 cups of meat sauce over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining ricotta mixture.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
10. Step 10: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese slightly.
11. Step 11: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground meat with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based meat alternative.
• Use fresh herbs whenever possible for the best flavor.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you prefer some heat.
• Leftover baked ziti tastes even better the next day and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Storage

Store leftover baked ziti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake covered at 350 degrees F until warmed through or microwave individual servings until hot. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes for baked ziti?

Yes, other tubular pasta like penne, rigatoni, or elbows work well as substitutes for ziti.

Do I have to use both ricotta and mozzarella cheese?

Combining ricotta and mozzarella gives baked ziti its creamy texture and melty topping, but you can adjust the cheeses based on preference or availability.

Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

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Classic Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring al dente pasta baked with a rich, savory meat sauce and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners, combining layers of flavorful browned ground beef simmered in marinara and diced tomatoes with a cheesy, herb-infused filling that bakes to bubbly perfection.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 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, to taste)

Pasta

• 1 lb ziti pasta

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

Topping

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

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to a large pot over medium heat and cook until browned completely. Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for a flavorful base.
3. Simmer Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with juices), and red pepper flakes if using. Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes to blend flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Reserve 2 cups of this sauce for assembling the baked ziti.
4. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, egg, minced parsley, minced basil, and grated garlic. Mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
6. Assemble First Layer: Add the cooked pasta to the remaining meat sauce and stir to combine. Spread half of this saucy pasta mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta, then scatter the 4 ounces of fresh mozzarella pieces on top.
7. Add Sauce and Second Layer: Pour the reserved 2 cups of meat sauce evenly over the first layer. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, spreading it into an even layer. Dollop the remaining ricotta mixture over the top.
8. Add Final Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer to create a cheesy crust when baked.
9. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
10. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese on top to brown slightly.
11. Broil for a Finish: Switch oven to broil and broil the baked ziti for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a bubbly, golden brown cheese crust without burning.
12. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with additional fresh basil or parsley if desired. Let it rest a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with ground Italian sausage for a more robust flavor.
• Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick before assembling.
• Fresh herbs elevate the flavor; use dried herbs if fresh are unavailable.
• Use part-skim cheeses for a lighter version if preferred.
• Letting the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set and makes serving easier.

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian casserole, pasta bake, cheesy pasta, ziti recipe, classic baked ziti