Description
A classic Italian-American comfort food, Baked Ziti combines tender pasta with a rich, flavorful meat sauce layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, then baked until bubbly and golden. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal or special gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 10 ounces ziti pasta (or rigatoni or penne)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (extra lean)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (packed)
- 24 ounces passata (or tomato puree or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
Cheeses & Garnish
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 leaves basil, fresh, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the ziti or pasta of your choice according to package instructions until it’s al dente, meaning cooked but still firm when bitten. Drain in a colander and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Cook Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until no longer pink.
- Season the Sauce: Season meat with salt and black pepper. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Add passata and beef broth, then stir to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring sauce to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If using a skillet that is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a separate bowl for tossing.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture at the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Evenly top with half the mozzarella and then half the Parmesan cheese. Spread the remaining pasta mixture, then dollop ricotta evenly over the surface. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese on top turns golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- This baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, combining classic flavors with an easy preparation perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
- Use extra lean ground beef to reduce fat, or substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage for variation.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and increase the cheese or add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers.
- Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Using fresh herbs like basil adds brightness, but dried can be substituted inside the sauce if fresh is unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 669 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
