Description
This classic Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring al dente pasta layered with a rich, savory meat sauce and three kinds of cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, it’s baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combination)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheeses
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and toss with a tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the meat sauce base: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, then drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently over low heat for 10-15 minutes to blend flavors.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with oil or non-stick spray.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with most of the prepared meat sauce. If you like, add the ricotta cheese and stir to incorporate evenly through the pasta.
- Assemble the casserole, first layer: Spread a thin layer of the reserved meat sauce on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Add half of the pasta mixture, then sprinkle evenly with half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Assemble the casserole, second layer: Add the remaining pasta mixture over the cheese layer and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake covered and uncovered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Using a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds more flavor but you can use either one alone.
- Ricotta cheese is optional but adds creaminess; you can skip or substitute with cottage cheese if preferred.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight spicy kick or omit for a milder flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and replace with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
