Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

Our easy baked ziti recipe is ready in about an hour. With creamy ricotta and tangy tomatoes, this is the ultimate comfort food baked pasta dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg. ziti

    1-lb.

  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil

    divided

  • 1 lb. 90/10 lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion

    finely chopped, 7 oz.

  • 3 large garlic cloves

    finely chopped, about 1 1/2 Tbsp.

  • 1 can whole peeled plum tomatoes

    crushed by hand, 28-oz.

  • 1 jar marinara sauce

    24-oz.

  • 1 container whole-milk ricotta cheese

    15-oz.

  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 12 oz. pre-shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese

    divided, about 3 cups

  • 3 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

    grated and divided, about 3/4 cup

  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook ziti: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add ziti, and cook, stirring occasionally, according to package directions for al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain ziti in a colander, and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil.

  2. 2

    Cook ground beef: While ziti cooks, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Break ground beef into medium-sized clumps, and add to Dutch oven. Cook, stirring once halfway through cook time, until deeply browned on 2 sides, 6 to 8 minutes.

  3. 3

    Break up ground beef into smaller pieces: Cook, stirring and breaking up meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through and no longer pink, about 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add garlic and onion: Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Make ragu: Stir in plum tomatoes and marinara sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium. Cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside 3 cups of the ragu.

  6. 6

    Add cheeses, cream, and seasoning to ragu: Add ricotta, cream, salt, crushed red pepper, 2 cups of the mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano to remaining ragu in Dutch oven, and stir to combine. Add cooked ziti, and stir until thoroughly combined.

  7. 7

    Assemble casserole: To assemble, spread 1 cup of the reserved ragu in the bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Spoon half of the ziti mixture over ragu. Spoon 1 cup of the reserved ragu over ziti mixture. Spoon remaining ziti mixture over ragu. Spread remaining 1 cup reserved ragu over ziti mixture, and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano.

  8. 8

    Bake: Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven until cheese is melted and browned in spots, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley.

Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

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About this Recipe

Looking for the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table? This easy baked ziti recipe delivers classic Italian-American flavors with creamy ricotta and tangy tomatoes, perfect for a cozy weeknight or a special family gathering. It's designed to be ready in about an hour, making hearty, homemade meals achievable even on busy evenings.

What sets this baked ziti apart is its harmonious balance: a rich, savory ground beef and tomato sauce, combined with a luscious ricotta filling. The addition of heavy whipping cream to the whole-milk ricotta mixture ensures every bite is incredibly tender and moist, preventing the cheese from drying out during baking. This thoughtful detail, coupled with a blend of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, creates that irresistible golden, bubbly top everyone loves.

Get ready for a truly satisfying experience. You'll find tender ziti pasta enveloped in a robust, tangy tomato sauce, made even more flavorful with hand-crushed whole peeled plum tomatoes and a quality marinara. Layered throughout is that cool, creamy ricotta mixture, subtly brightened by finely chopped fresh garlic and a hint of crushed red pepper for a gentle warmth. The top bakes into a beautifully golden crust of melted, bubbly mozzarella and sharp Parmigiano-Reggiano, offering a delightful textural contrast to the soft interior. This dish truly feels like a warm hug in a casserole dish.

This recipe offers plenty of room for personal touches. While the rich ground beef provides fantastic depth, you could explore using a different ground meat for the sauce if preferred. For an even more garlicky kick, feel free to slightly increase the finely chopped garlic, or adjust the crushed red pepper to your desired spice level. The blend of mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano is classic, but you could experiment with other melty or sharp cheeses you might have on hand.

This baked ziti is the quintessential dish for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve comforting, hearty food. Pair it with a simple green salad and some crusty bread to sop up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

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