Indulge in a cheesy, saucy, and satisfying baked ziti that will become a family favorite. This classic Italian-American dish is perfect for cozy nights in or feeding a crowd at gatherings. With layers of pasta, meaty sauce, and melted cheese, this baked ziti recipe is sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish.
- Cook ziti according to package instructions and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with chopped onion and garlic until cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- Add marinara sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the beef mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- In the greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
- Enjoy your delicious baked ziti!
Interesting Facts
Baked ziti is a popular Italian-American comfort food dish.
This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick meal option.
Baked ziti is a versatile dish that can be customized with additional ingredients like mushrooms, spinach, or sausage.