Cheesy Baked Ziti (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta and Protein
01 -
1 lb ground beef or use Italian sausage
02 -
1 lb of ziti pasta
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
03 -
2 minced garlic cloves
04 -
A small onion, finely chopped
05 -
Roughly 1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley
→ Sauce and Seasonings
06 -
A large can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
07 -
1 teaspoon of salt
08 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 -
A tablespoon of Italian herb mix
→ Cheese
10 -
2 cups of shredded mozzarella
11 -
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 -
2 cups ricotta cheese
# Instructions:
01 -
Turn on your oven and preheat it to 375°F. Grease up a 9x13 baking pan so nothing sticks later.
02 -
Follow the package directions for cooking the ziti until it’s firm but cooked (al dente). Drain it and set it aside for later.
03 -
In a skillet, cook up the ground beef and chopped onion until browned. Add garlic and sauté briefly. Stir in crushed tomatoes and spices, letting it simmer for about 10 minutes.
04 -
In a big bowl, toss together the ziti, ricotta, and your simmered meat sauce.
05 -
Spread half the ziti mix in the baking dish. Sprinkle on half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Add the rest of the ziti and top it off with the remaining cheese.
06 -
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Take the foil off and bake another 15 minutes, or until the cheesy top is bubbly and golden.
07 -
Cool for a bit before serving and sprinkle on some parsley as garnish if you’d like.
# Notes:
01 -
You can swap out ground beef with Italian sausage if preferred.
02 -
Make sure the ziti is cooked to al dente before assembling since it’ll cook more in the oven.
03 -
Let the dish sit for a moment before cutting into it so the layers hold together better.