Description
Comfort meets culinary delight in this ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti, where layers of pasta, rich sauce, and melted cheese create a hearty Italian-inspired masterpiece. Pasta lovers will savor each forkful of this irresistible dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
Cheese:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables, Sauce, and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 can (28 ounces or 794 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink, releasing rich flavors.
- Add minced garlic to the meat mixture and sauté for 60 seconds, creating an aromatic base.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, blend in Italian seasonings, and allow sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, developing deep, robust flavors.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine cooked ziti, prepared meat sauce, and creamy ricotta cheese until evenly distributed.
- Create first layer in baking dish by spreading half the pasta mixture, then sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Repeat layering process with remaining pasta mixture and cheese, ensuring even coverage.
- Shield dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, maintaining moisture and even cooking.
- Remove foil and continue baking for additional 15 minutes until cheese transforms into golden, bubbling perfection.
- Allow ziti to rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from oven, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Select ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for maximum flavor and juiciness in meat sauce.
- Undercook pasta slightly during initial boiling since it continues cooking in oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Use fresh mozzarella for creamier melting and richer cheese flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Add red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning for extra depth and personalized spice profile if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg