Description
Comforting ziti pasta bakes with layers of rich marinara, melted cheeses, and hearty ground beef. Creamy, cheesy goodness brings Italian-American comfort to your dinner table, promising smiles and satisfied hunger in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combination)
Pasta and Dairy:
- 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta
- 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
- 3 cups (340g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (beaten)
Aromatics, Herbs, and Seasonings:
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 jars (24-26 ounces each) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing with cooking spray, then set oven temperature to 375°F for optimal cooking.
- Cook ziti pasta until slightly underdone, ensuring it will continue to soften during baking. Drain and reserve.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown ground meat over medium heat, removing any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Enhance the meat mixture with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, then introduce marinara sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop deep, rich flavors.
- Create a creamy binding agent by whisking ricotta cheese with a beaten egg, which will help stabilize the cheese layer.
- Construct the first pasta layer in the baking dish, spreading half the ziti, followed by an even distribution of ricotta mixture and meat sauce.
- Generously sprinkle a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the initial layer to ensure maximum cheesy coverage.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining pasta, ricotta, meat sauce, and an additional generous cheese topping.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, bake for 25-30 minutes, then uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Rest the baked ziti for several minutes before serving, allowing the layers to set and flavors to meld. Optional: garnish with fresh herbs for added freshness.
Notes
- Choose short, sturdy pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne as alternatives to ziti for similar texture and sauce-holding capabilities.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter or vegetarian versions without compromising flavor.
- Mix different cheeses like fontina or provolone with mozzarella to create unique, richer flavor profiles that elevate the dish.
- Drain ricotta cheese in a cheesecloth beforehand to prevent excess liquid and ensure a creamier, more cohesive baked ziti texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg