Description
Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring al dente pasta mixed with a rich, savory meat sauce and layered with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, this hearty casserole is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or when entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 10 ounces ziti pasta (or rigatoni or penne)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (extra lean)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (packed)
- 24 ounces passata (or tomato puree or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
Cheeses
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Garnish
- 4 leaves basil (fresh, chopped, optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Prepare the ziti or pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, meaning it is cooked but still firm when bitten. Drain well using a colander and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking for approximately 5 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink.
- Season and add sauce ingredients. Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Pour in the passata and beef broth, then mix everything together thoroughly.
- Simmer the sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 15 minutes to thicken and develop flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine pasta and sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If the sauce was prepared in a skillet, you may need to combine them in a large bowl for easier mixing.
- Layer the casserole. In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly over the bottom. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top, then dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the surface. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top layer.
- Bake the ziti. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- This Baked Ziti is a comforting and hearty Italian-American dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.
- Use extra lean ground beef to keep the dish from being too greasy.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage if preferred.
- You can prepare the sauce a day ahead to save time; just combine everything fully before assembling the casserole.
- Fresh basil garnish adds brightness but is optional.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 669 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
