Baked Ziti Recipe: Cheesy, Comforting, and Irresistible
This Baked Ziti recipe is a warm, cheesy dish filled with layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. Ready in under 1.5 hours, it’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hou
- Yield: 6-8
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg. Mix well.
- In a baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce, followed by half the pasta, and then half the ricotta mixture. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Top with remaining mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added flavor.
- For a crispier top, broil the dish for the last 3-5 minutes of baking.