Ingredients of Baked Ziti
1 pound ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructionf for making Baked Ziti:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage, and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the Aromatics:
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Simmer the Sauce:
Pour in the marinara sauce and add the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble the Casserole:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with half of the meat sauce. Stir in the ricotta cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the pasta is well coated.
Layer the Dish:
Spread a thin layer of the remaining meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add the ziti mixture, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake:
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes:
For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach.
You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if it’s chilled.
Enjoy your delicious, homemade baked ziti!
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