Description
This Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring tender pasta baked with a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and a gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese topping. Perfect for family dinners, it combines ground beef or Italian sausage with rich marinara, layered with cheeses, and baked to bubbly, golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound (about 450g) ziti pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound (about 450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combination)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jars (24-26 ounces each) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces (about 425g) ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
Topping
- 3 cups (about 340g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (about 100g) grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the ziti pasta according to the package instructions but cook it slightly underdone since it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage (remove casings if using sausage) until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep it less greasy.
- Add Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat in the skillet. Sauté until the onions are softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season and Sauce: Season the meat mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the beaten egg. This helps the cheese set and bind during baking.
- Layer the Baked Ziti: In the greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta first. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle an even layer of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over this.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top again with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese layers.
- Final Cheese Layer: Finish with a final generous layer of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan which will create a golden, cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese on top to melt completely and turn bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly under al dente to avoid overcooking during baking.
- Drain excess fat from meat to reduce grease and improve texture.
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or use a mix for more flavor.
- Use fresh herbs if available for enhanced taste, but dried work well too.
- Make ahead and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours or freeze for longer storage.
- Let the dish rest after baking to firm up, which makes serving easier.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add sautéed vegetables or plant-based protein.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
