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Cheesy Baked Ziti

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Hearty baked ziti layered with savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan. A comforting Italian classic perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  4. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine pasta with half the meat sauce and half the mozzarella cheese.
  7. Spread a layer of meat sauce in the baking dish. Add half the pasta mixture, then dollop ricotta over the top. Repeat layers.
  8. Finish with remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
  10. Cool for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley or basil, and serve.

Notes

  • Use spicy Italian sausage for extra flavor.
  • Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
  • Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
  • Freezes well — bake from frozen with an extra 15–20 minutes of cook time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/cheesy-baked-ziti/