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Baked Ziti with Cheese and Hearty Meat Sauce

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A comforting and satisfying Italian-American casserole featuring layers of ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes to thicken slightly.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well.
  7. In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Top with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheeses.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor.
  • Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
  • Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Freezes well for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, pasta bake, cheesy ziti, meat sauce pasta, Italian casserole

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