Description
A rich and cheesy baked ziti recipe featuring layers of pasta, meat sauce, and multiple cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In the baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Mix gently.
- Spread the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the ground beef.
- For a smoother sauce, blend the crushed tomatoes before adding them to the skillet.
- Use fresh herbs if you have them for a stronger flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 90
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta bake, cheesy pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, ground beef, Italian casserole