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Cheesy Baked Ziti

Cheesy baked ziti with bubbling mozzarella and rich meat sauce in a dish
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This cheesy baked ziti is the ultimate family comfort food. A bubbling dish of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese that promises a cozy, satisfying meal every time. It’s perfect for weeknights, feeding a crowd, or making ahead for easy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15 blend)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 pound low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti to al dente, drain, and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan. Mix well.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with about two-thirds of the meat sauce. Spread half of this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  6. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread gently into an even layer. Top with the remaining saucy pasta.
  7. Spoon the last third of the meat sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
  8. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden in spots.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness. Letting the sauce simmer deepens flavor. The egg in the ricotta helps it hold structure. Resting before serving is crucial for clean slices. Can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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