Cheesy Baked Ziti

 

This is the baked ziti recipe you'll come back to again and again. Incredibly hearty and layered with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and a blanket of melted cheese, it’s the definition of comfort in a baking dish. Perfect for feeding a crowd or creating delicious leftovers for the week.

Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Pasta & Sauce:

• 1 lb ziti or penne pasta

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Cheese Layer:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prep and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water until just al dente (it will continue to cook in the oven). Drain and return it to the pot.

2. Build the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat.

3. Simmer: Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Combine Pasta and Sauces: Pour the finished meat sauce into the pot with the drained pasta. Add the ricotta and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until everything is evenly combined and the ricotta is distributed in creamy pockets.

5. Assemble and Bake: Transfer the entire mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella and the ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.

6. Bake to Perfection: Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and has golden-brown spots.

7. The Key Step - Rest! For the perfect, clean slices, let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes after pulling it from the oven. This allows the layers to set.

Serving Suggestions

• The Classic Combo: Serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad.

• Add Some Heat: Offer red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

• Meal Prep Friendly: This dish freezes beautifully. Portion leftovers for easy future meals.