Description
A classic Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring ziti or penne pasta layered with a rich meat and tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This comforting casserole is baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh parsley, making it a perfect hearty meal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (500 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture & Topping
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti or penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Add dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup), and half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup). Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Assemble the baked ziti: Layer half of the cooked pasta over the meat sauce. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Add half of the remaining meat sauce on top, then layer the remaining pasta. Finish by spreading the remaining meat sauce evenly over the top.
- Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) and mozzarella cheese (1 cup) evenly over the assembled pasta and sauce.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Rest and serve: Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Make the dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; add an extra few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Use fresh herbs if available for a more vibrant flavor.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
