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Easy Baked Ziti

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Easy Baked Ziti is a classic comfort food that combines pasta, hearty marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese. This simple, crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping. With layers of flavorful ingredients baked to perfection, this ziti recipe offers all the warmth and satisfaction of homemade Italian cuisine without the complexity.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Highlights

  • Ziti Pasta: The tubular shape of ziti holds the sauce and cheese beautifully. Penne is a great substitute if needed.
  • Marinara Sauce: Choose a high-quality marinara for the best flavor, or make your own for a personal touch.
  • Ricotta Cheese: Provides creaminess and a subtle richness to the dish.
  • Ground Meat (Optional): Adds heartiness and protein, but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
  • Cheese Trio: Mozzarella for gooeyness, Parmesan for depth, and ricotta for creaminess make this dish irresistible.

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients:

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage (if using) and cook until browned. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, then simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Mix the Ricotta Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well blended.

Assemble the Baked Ziti:

  1. Layer the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti on top, followed by half of the ricotta mixture. Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining mozzarella on top.
  2. Cover and Bake: Cover the dish with foil (to prevent the cheese from browning too quickly) and bake for 20 minutes.
  3. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve the Dish:

  1. Garnish and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://herbites.com/easy-baked-ziti/