Baked Ziti
This Baked Ziti combines tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese into one irresistible comfort dish that comes together in just 50 minutes. With layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it's the ultimate crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that's make-ahead friendly and even better the next day.
Equipment
- Large pot For boiling pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan For browning meat and making sauce
- 9x13-inch baking dish For assembling and baking the ziti
- Colander For draining pasta
- Mixing bowl For combining cheese mixture
- Wooden spoon or spatula For stirring without scratching cookware
- Aluminum foil For covering dish during first stage of baking
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta about 450g; penne or rigatoni can be substituted
- 1 tbsp olive oil 15ml
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage about 450g; use hot Italian sausage for a spicy version
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce about 680g; one standard jar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese about 425g; whole milk ricotta preferred for creamiest texture
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese about 225g, divided; use whole milk for best melt
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese about 50g, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped; or 2 tsp dried basil
- salt and pepper pinch, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add ziti, and cook 2 minutes less than package directions (al dente). Drain in a colander without rinsing and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef or sausage, and cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute, then pour in marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir until smooth and well combined.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Layer half the ziti in the dish, dollop and spread half the ricotta mixture over it, then pour half the meat sauce on top; repeat the layers with remaining ziti, ricotta, and meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown; rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta 2 minutes under package directions — it finishes cooking in the oven, so starting al dente prevents mushy pasta.
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining; the surface starch helps the sauce cling to every piece.
- Use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella for the richest, creamiest pockets of cheese throughout the dish.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add 5–10 extra minutes to covered bake time if going straight from fridge to oven.
- For a crispy cheese crust, switch the oven to broil for the last 2–3 minutes — watch closely to avoid burning.
- Vegetarian variation: Omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers.
- If the finished dish seems watery, the sauce was likely too thin or pasta overcooked — let sauce simmer longer to reduce before assembling next time.
- Refrigerate leftovers covered for up to 4 days; reheat covered at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes or microwave individual portions 2–3 minutes.
- To freeze: Wrap unbaked or baked ziti tightly in plastic wrap and foil; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Cottage cheese can substitute for ricotta — blend it first for a smoother texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 32gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 17mg
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