Description
This Best Baked Ziti Ever recipe features a hearty meat sauce simmered with tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs, combined with tender ziti pasta and a creamy cheese topping made from cream cheese, ricotta, and Parmesan. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this comforting Italian-American casserole is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 5 teaspoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Baked Ziti
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the meat sauce: Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef and brown for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 diced medium white onion and 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until onions are soft and translucent, and ground beef is fully cooked.
- Add garlic and tomato paste: Stir in 5 teaspoons minced garlic and 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, toasting the mixture for 2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Pour in 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes and 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce. Stir in 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it gently simmer while preparing the pasta.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling water, cook 1 pound ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta once cooked.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
- Prepare cheese mixture: In a small mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 8 ounces ricotta cheese, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the meat sauce in the skillet and stir thoroughly to combine everything evenly.
- Assemble and bake: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into the pan and spread evenly. Top it with the prepared cheese mixture, spreading it smoothly over the pasta.
- Bake and serve: Bake the ziti uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- You can omit mushrooms if desired or substitute with other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- For extra cheesy topping, sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
