Baked Ziti Recipe

Italian-American · Main course · 55 min total

A classic Italian-American comfort food featuring ziti pasta baked in a rich tomato sauce with layers of mozzarella and ricotta cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper; mix well.
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half the ziti, then half the ricotta mixture, half the mozzarella, and half the remaining sauce. Repeat layers.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
• Can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate and increase baking time by 10 minutes.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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