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Comforting Baked Ziti Recipe Easy Homemade Meat Sauce and Ricotta Layers

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A hearty baked ziti featuring layers of creamy ricotta and rich homemade meat sauce, topped with golden melted mozzarella. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) dried ziti pasta
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces (800 grams) crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 15 ounces (425 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 grams) shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break apart with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, a pinch of salt, and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
  8. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half of the cooked ziti, then spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
  9. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, and finish with the last cup of mozzarella cheese.
  10. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
  11. Let baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta before baking; it should be just al dente. Use whole milk ricotta for creamier texture. Layer ricotta evenly for creamy bites throughout. Cover with foil during baking to keep moist, then remove foil to brown the top. You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage, or omit meat for a vegetarian version with sautéed vegetables. Freeze before baking for best texture when freezing leftovers.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, meat sauce, ricotta, easy pasta bake, weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta casserole

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/comforting-baked-ziti-recipe-easy-homemade-meat-sauce-and-ricotta-layers/