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Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 115 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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