Ah, baked ziti—a cheesy, comforting Italian-American classic! 🍝🧀 Here’s a foolproof recipe for creamy, saucy, golden-bubbly baked ziti:
Ingredients (serves 4–6)
Pasta & Cheese:
- 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (or penne)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 24 oz (680g) marinara or pasta sauce
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried basil
Optional toppings:
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Extra mozzarella for melting on top
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook ziti until al dente (it will cook more in the oven).
- Drain and set aside.
2. Make the sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion until translucent (3–4 min).
- Add garlic and cook 30 sec until fragrant.
- Add ground beef or sausage, cook until browned.
- Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
3. Combine pasta and sauce
- In a large bowl, mix cooked ziti, sauce, and ricotta cheese until well coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Assemble in baking dish
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour half the pasta mixture in, sprinkle half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Add remaining pasta, top with remaining cheeses.
5. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
💡 Tips for next-level baked ziti:
- Use a mix of mozzarella and provolone for extra melty cheese pull.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for veggies.
- A splash of cream in the sauce makes it richer and silkier.
If you want, I can give you a “cheesy, gooey baked ziti with a crispy top” version that turns it into a crowd-pleasing comfort food masterpiece.
Do you want me to do that?
