A hearty and delicious baked ziti recipe that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This dish is loaded with cheesy goodness, savory marinara sauce, and tender pasta, making it an all-time favorite comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the meat sauce, and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy your baked ziti!
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!