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Classic Baked Ziti

A close-up, overhead view of a bubbling baked ziti casserole with melted, golden-brown cheese and rich tomato sauce.
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A comforting and cheesy baked ziti recipe, perfect for feeding a crowd or preparing for a potluck. This easy pasta casserole delivers classic Italian-American flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the drained ziti pasta with the tomato sauce. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
  8. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
  • You can make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
  • This recipe is a great candidate for meal planning and can be frozen for future use.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipestokeep.com/baked-ziti-recipe-crowd-pleasing/