A hearty and comforting baked ziti recipe that combines pasta, rich marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal.
Preparation time
20min
Cooking time
45min
Ingredients
8 Servings
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic
- 450 g ground beef
- 720 ml marinara sauce
- 450 g mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 120 g parmesan cheese
- 450 g ricotta cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 450 g ziti pasta
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 5
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain off excess fat.
Step 6
Stir in the marinara sauce and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, the egg, salt, black pepper, and dried basil.
Step 8
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the cheese mixture and stir until well combined.
Step 9
Spread a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 10
Layer half of the pasta mixture over the meat sauce.
Step 11
Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by the remaining pasta mixture.
Step 12
Top with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
Step 13
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Step 14
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 15
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.