Easy Classic Baked Ziti Recipe
This easy classic baked ziti recipe is a comforting and delicious dish, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. It's simple to make and packed with flavor.
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Servings:
Calories: 120kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
- Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan.
- Spoon the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
To add a little extra flavor, consider including a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce. This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking.