Baked Ziti
A classic Italian-American comfort food featuring ziti pasta baked with a rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Equipment
- large pot
- large skillet
- large mixing bowl
- 9x13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
Sauce
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage optional
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain it well.
- If using, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage in a large skillet, drain any excess fat, and then stir in the marinara sauce.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper, mixing until well blended.
Assembly
- In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
- Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta cheese mixture in dollops, and then half of the remaining marinara sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
- Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
Bake and Serve
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
- Allow the Baked Ziti to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to ensure it sets properly.
Notes
For an extra golden-brown cheese topping, you can broil the ziti for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. This recipe is also great for making ahead; simply assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.