Description
A hearty, comforting baked pasta dish loaded with layers of ziti, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese—a perfect crowd-pleasing dinner for any night of the week!
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups (500 ml) marinara sauce
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti or penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Add the dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken slightly.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer half of the cooked pasta on top. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta. Add half of the remaining meat sauce, followed by the rest of the pasta. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, you can omit the ground beef or Italian sausage and use a meatless marinara sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Feel free to prepare this dish ahead of time. Assemble it, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to a day before baking.
- Use your favorite pasta shapes if you can't find ziti or penne.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/8 of dish)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
