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Baked Ziti

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Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort dish made with ziti pasta, hearty marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
  6. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella.
  7. In the baking dish, layer half the pasta, half the sauce, and spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers and top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Use a mix of beef and sausage for extra flavor.
  • Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
  • Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/baked-ziti/