This baked ziti recipe is perfect for family dinners. It's a comforting dish made with hearty pasta, savory meat sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. Ideal for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
Preparation time
20min
Cooking time
45min
Ingredients
8 Servings
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 800 g crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 egg
- 3 garlic cloves
- 450 g ground beef
- 450 g mozzarella cheese
- 1 onion
- 120 g parmesan cheese
- 450 g ricotta cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 700 ml tomato sauce
- 450 g ziti pasta
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook until the onion is soft.
Step 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, dried basil, and dried oregano. Simmer the sauce for about 15 minutes.
Step 5
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and half of the grated parmesan cheese. Mix well.
Step 6
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta, then half of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers.
Step 7
Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan cheese.
Step 8
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9
Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.