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Baked Ziti Recipe

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  • Author: chefisraa
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Baked Ziti is a hearty and comforting Italian-American casserole made with ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, and layers of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  4. Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti with half of the meat sauce.
  7. Layer half the ziti mixture in the prepared baking dish. Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the top, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
  8. Repeat with remaining ziti mixture and sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if desired.
  • Use a mix of ground beef and sausage for deeper flavor.
  • Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking.
  • Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 640mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 27g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Find it online: https://healthyhomeeats.com/baked-ziti-recipe/