Description
This easy baked ziti is a comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta casserole layered with tender noodles, hearty meat sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy family dinners, and it delivers all the flavor of lasagna with half the effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the ziti.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the ziti pasta until al dente. Drain it well and set aside for layering.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned. Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened. Then add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to develop flavor.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese until well mixed.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Begin by spreading a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta on top, followed by half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, then top with the remaining sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Use cottage cheese as a lighter substitute for ricotta cheese.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra vegetables and nutrients.
- Baked ziti can be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer before baking to save time on busy days.
