Description
Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food featuring tender ziti pasta tossed with a savory meat and tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, baked until bubbly and golden. Ideal for family dinners, gatherings, and meal prep, this hearty casserole delivers rich flavors and comforting texture with easy-to-follow preparation.
Ingredients
Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture and Topping
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to warm up while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook the pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, then simmer for 5-7 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix pasta and sauce: Combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce in a large bowl, ensuring an even coating of sauce on the pasta.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture: In a separate bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, half of the grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta. Repeat with the remaining pasta and ricotta layers.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the assembled layers.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbling.
- Brown the cheese: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top turns golden and slightly crisp.
- Rest and garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for a spicier, more flavorful meat option.
- Add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted peppers to increase nutrition and variation.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting meat and boosting sauce and veggies.
- Store leftovers airtight in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat covered in the oven or microwave individual portions.
- Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking to save time.
- Freeze fully cooled baked ziti in freezer-safe containers for longer storage.
- Penne pasta can be substituted for ziti if needed.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente before baking to avoid mushy texture.
- Keep the casserole covered during baking to prevent drying out, uncover only at the end for browning.
- Serve with garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
