Description
Warm, hearty, and easy to prepare, this Baked Ziti recipe layers tender ziti pasta with a rich tomato-sausage sauce, creamy melted mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan cheese. Baked to bubbly golden perfection, it’s ideal for cozy dinners, weeknight meals, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce, or homemade
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup heavy cream
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
To Garnish
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place a rack in the center position to ensure even baking.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ziti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Prepare the meat sauce: In a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat, add ground beef, diced onion, and chopped garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat, until browned and the onions are softened. Drain excess fat and discard.
- Add sauces and seasoning: Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, sea salt, Italian seasoning, and heavy cream. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked ziti and 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to coat the pasta thoroughly with sauce and cheese.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the thin slices of fresh mozzarella on top, followed by the remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the pasta to become tender and the cheeses to start melting together.
- Add Parmesan and finish baking: Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then return the dish to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling beautifully.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly. Sprinkle with red chili flakes and minced fresh basil for a touch of heat and freshness before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, ensure you do not skip the heavy cream; it balances the acidity from the tomatoes.
- You can substitute ground beef with Italian sausage for a more robust flavor.
- Fresh mozzarella slices melt beautifully, adding a luscious texture, but shredded mozzarella works just as well.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make ahead, assemble the dish but don’t bake. Cover and refrigerate, then bake just before serving, adding 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time.
