The Best Homemade Baked Ziti
Looking for the best baked ziti recipe? This classic Italian-American pasta bake is layered with tender ziti noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or holiday gatherings, this hearty and cheesy baked ziti is comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients:
1 lb (450g) ziti pasta noodles
1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
3 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp Italian seasoning (divided)
1 ½ tsp salt (divided)
1 ½ tsp black pepper (divided)
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
45 oz marinara sauce
14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
15 oz ricotta cheese
¾ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 large egg
Directions:
Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a skillet, brown ground beef or sausage.
Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.
Stir in 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Pour in marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
Mix the Ricotta Cheese Filling
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, remaining Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and half the parmesan.
Assemble the Baked Ziti
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a baking dish.
Layer half the ziti, half the ricotta mixture, and half the mozzarella.
Repeat layers with remaining ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and sauce.
Sprinkle parmesan on top.
Bake
Cover with foil (lightly sprayed with oil). Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Serve
Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Tips & Variations:
Swap ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter version.
Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein.
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Make the best homemade baked ziti recipe with layers of ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
