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A close-up shot showcases a delicious pan of Baked Ziti with melted cheese and a rich tomato sauce, ready to be served.

ULTIMATE CREAMY BAKED ZITI

This Baked Ziti recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy, and comforting pasta bake that's perfect for family dinners. It combines al dente ziti pasta with a rich meat sauce, a creamy ricotta mixture, and plenty of mozzarella cheese for a satisfying and crowd-pleasing dish.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground meat beef and Italian sausage mix recommended
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil, chopped for garnish optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil
  • Spoon
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  5. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  6. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
  8. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. Add water or broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
  9. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
  10. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
  11. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  12. Top with half of the cooked ziti pasta.
  13. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
  14. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
  15. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
  16. Repeat the layers: remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce.
  17. Make sure the top layer is a generous coating of mozzarella cheese.
  18. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  19. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  20. Let the Baked Ziti rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
  21. Garnish with fresh basil (if using) and serve hot.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta; aim for al dente. Use high-quality cheese for better flavor. A generous amount of sauce ensures a moist and flavorful dish. Let the Baked Ziti rest after baking to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to set. Baked Ziti is great make-ahead dish and freezes well. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed vegetables. Spice it up with more red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.