Classic Baked Ziti (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta & Base
01 -
12 ounces ziti or penne pasta
02 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Meat Sauce
03 -
1 small yellow onion, diced
04 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
1 pound ground beef
06 -
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
07 -
1 teaspoon dried basil
08 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 -
1 teaspoon salt
10 -
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 -
4 cups tomato sauce (about 2 cans)
12 -
½ cup water
→ Cheese Mixture
13 -
1 cup ricotta cheese
14 -
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
15 -
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ For Garnish
16 -
Fresh chopped basil
# Instructions:
01 -
Get your oven heating to 350°F. While it warms up, give a 9x13 inch baking dish a light coating of oil or cooking spray so nothing sticks later.
02 -
Boil your ziti according to what the package tells you. Once it's done, drain all the water out and put the pasta back in the pot. Leave it there for now.
03 -
Pour olive oil into a large skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. Toss in the diced onions and let them cook for about 2 minutes until they start getting soft. Add your minced garlic and give it just 20 seconds—you want it fragrant but not burned.
04 -
Add the ground beef to your skillet and break it apart with a spoon. Sprinkle in the paprika, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Keep cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat until it's nicely browned all over.
05 -
Pour in your tomato sauce followed by the water. Give everything a good stir and bring it up to a simmer. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let it bubble gently for 10 minutes. Taste it and add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it.
06 -
Scoop about 2 cups of that beef sauce into your pot of cooked pasta and mix it together. Transfer this saucy pasta into your prepared baking dish. Drop small spoonfuls of ricotta all over the top—keep them about tablespoon-sized so they'll melt properly. Pour the rest of your beef sauce over everything, then scatter the mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
07 -
Cover your dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven for 20 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 10 to 12 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and you see it bubbling. Pull it out and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil.
# Notes:
01 -
This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prep throughout the week.
02 -
You can assemble this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake.
03 -
Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes after baking so it sets up and is easier to serve.