Description
Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American pasta casserole featuring tender ziti pasta combined with a rich meat and tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden perfection, this classic dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, delivering hearty flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combination)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well and toss with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Make the sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for assembling the ziti.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with most of the meat sauce. If using, stir in the ricotta cheese to add creaminess to the mixture.
- Assemble in layers: Spread a thin layer of the reserved sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half of the pasta mixture on top, then evenly sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Add the second layer: Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta mixture and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake the ziti: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and serve: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired to add a touch of color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage, or a mix of both, depending on your preference.
- Ricotta cheese is optional but adds a creamy texture; omit if you prefer a lighter dish.
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add fresh chili.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking; just increase bake time by about 10 minutes if baking cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
