Of course! Cheesy Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
This recipe breaks down into easy steps for a foolproof, incredibly delicious result that rivals any Italian restaurant.
The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti
This version uses a simple, flavorful meat sauce and a perfect blend of cheeses for that iconic gooey, stretchy pull.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 medium onion, finely chopped
· 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 pound ground Italian sausage (mild or hot) or ground beef (or a mix!)
· 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite marinara or pasta sauce (about 3 cups)
· 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
· 1 teaspoon dried basil
· 1 teaspoon dried oregano
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta & Cheese Mixture:
· 1 pound (16 oz) ziti or penne pasta
· 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
· 1 large egg
· ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
· ½ teaspoon salt
· 4 cups (16 oz) shredded low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella cheese, divided
· 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
· Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package directions, but only cook it to “al dente” (it should still have a slight bite to it). It will continue cooking in the oven.
· Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Do not rinse (the starch helps the sauce cling).
- Make the Meat Sauce:
· While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
· Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
· Add the ground sausage/beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
· Stir in the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
· In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup of the grated Parmesan. Mix until well combined.
- Combine Everything:
· Pour the meat sauce into the large pot with the drained pasta. Stir to combine thoroughly.
· Now, add the ricotta cheese mixture in dollops over the pasta. Gently fold it in until just combined. You want streaks of ricotta, not a perfectly homogenous mix.
- Assemble the Bake:
· Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
· Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
· Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared dish.
· Sprinkle with 1 ½ cups of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
· Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
· Finally, sprinkle the top with the last 1 ½ cups of mozzarella and the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan.
- Bake to Perfection:
· Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil (this helps steam the pasta and melt the cheese).
· Bake for 20 minutes.
· Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and spotty golden brown.
· For an extra crispy top, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes (watch closely!).
- Serve:
· Let the ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired.
Tips for the Best Baked Ziti
· Don’t Overcook the Pasta: This is the #1 rule! Overcooked pasta turns mushy in the bake.
· The Egg in the Ricotta: The egg acts as a binder, preventing the ricotta from becoming watery and giving the filling a better texture.
· Cheese Matters: Use whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella for the best melt and stretch. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Freshly grating your own is a game-changer!
· Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble the ziti up to a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold. You can also freeze the unbaked ziti for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
· Vegetarian Option: Simply omit the meat. You can add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a veggie-packed version.
Enjoy your delicious, cheesy, and comforting creation