Description
Baked Ziti is a comforting classic Italian-American casserole featuring tender pasta tossed in a rich, savory meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then baked to golden bubbly perfection. This hearty dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd with its warm, satisfying flavors.
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
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Garnish
- 4 leaves basil (fresh, chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, meaning it should be cooked but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until the onion turns soft and translucent, releasing its aroma.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart as it cooks. Continue cooking for approximately 5 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and fully browned.
- Season and Simmer Sauce: Season the meat with salt and black pepper. Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Pour in the passata (tomato puree) and low-sodium beef broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for about 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Preheat the Oven: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat evenly. If using a skillet that won’t go into the oven, transfer and toss pasta and sauce together in a separate bowl.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly across the bottom. Sprinkle evenly with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Layer the remaining pasta on top, then dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the surface. Finish by sprinkling the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake the Ziti: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and beginning to turn a golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting baked ziti!
Notes
- This Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
- Use extra lean ground beef for a healthier option. You can substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for different flavors.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta before baking as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
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
