Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a beloved kid friendly recipe that layers tender pasta with rich meat sauce and bubbling melted cheese for the ultimate family dinner experience. Kids love pulling apart the gooey cheese on top and parents appreciate that this easy make ahead casserole feeds a crowd without requiring any special cooking skills.
Ziti pasta baked in a hearty meat sauce with ricotta and mozzarella cheese until golden and bubbling.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
pasta
protein
sauce
cheese
seasoning
Instructions
Prep the Pasta and Meat Sauce
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions then drain and set aside. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium high heat for 7 minutes, drain the fat, then stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
Mix Everything Together
In a large bowl combine the drained ziti with the meat sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated. Add the ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella and fold gently so pockets of creamy ricotta are distributed throughout without fully blending in.
Layer in the Baking Dish
Pour the entire pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Scatter the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top followed by an even layer of the grated parmesan cheese.
Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and the sauce is bubbling vigorously around the edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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