Description
Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring tender ziti pasta mixed with a rich meat and tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty dish is perfect for family dinners, gatherings, and meal prep, offering warm, cheesy, and satisfying flavors with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
Cheeses
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the ziti later.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking in the oven.
- Sauté aromatics and meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add garlic and sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in marinara sauce and sprinkle Italian seasoning. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to develop flavor.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce, mixing gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Prepare ricotta mixture: In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the grated Parmesan cheese, along with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the baked ziti: Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and slightly crispy.
- Rest and garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a fresh burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for a spicier, more flavorful variation instead of ground beef.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted peppers for extra nutrition and texture.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers covered in the oven or microwave individual portions.
- You can prepare the dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating before baking.
- Freeze leftover baked ziti in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw completely before reheating.
- Penna pasta can substitute ziti if unavailable.
- For a cheesier top, increase the mozzarella amount or add Italian cheese blends.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
