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A delicious tray of baked ziti with melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Proven way to grow perfect Baked Ziti recipe. Baked Ziti

This baked ziti recipe offers a delicious and comforting meal, perfect for a family dinner. It features layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese, creating a satisfying and flavorful dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
  • 16 oz ziti pasta
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce
  1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef, drain fat, then add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
  2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, basil, salt, and pepper; simmer for 15 minutes.
Assemble the Ziti
  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and parsley.
  2. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
  3. Layer half of the cooked ziti, then half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
  4. Repeat the layers, ending with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake
  1. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown.

Notes

For an extra cheesy baked ziti, consider adding a layer of provolone cheese before the final layer of mozzarella. You can also add some red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a bit of a kick!