Ingredients
1 lb (450g) ziti or penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix)
24 oz (680g) marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Execution
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot.
Prepare the meat sauce:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked (about 6-8 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Mix the cheese filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and chopped parsley. Mix until well incorporated.
Assemble the baked ziti:
Add about 1 cup of the meat sauce to the cooked pasta and toss until it’s coated.
Layer half of the pasta in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Spread half of the cheese mixture on top.
Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese.
Repeat the layers: add the rest of the pasta, the remaining cheese mixture, and top with the rest of the sauce.
Top with mozzarella:
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella over the top.
Bake:
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let it rest:
Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will help the layers set and make it easier to slice.
Additional tips
- Make it vegetarian: Substitute the meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for a hearty, veggie-filled version.
- Extra creamy: Add a layer of béchamel sauce or a little cream to the cheese mixture for an even richer texture.
- Spice it up: If you enjoy a little heat, add more red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the baked ziti ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the bake time.
