Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food that is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress with a hearty and delicious dish. This baked ziti recipe is incredibly easy to follow and results in a flavorful, cheesy, and satisfying meal. With layers of ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, this recipe will guide you through creating a mouthwatering baked ziti that everyone will love.
Ingredients for Baked Ziti
- Ziti Pasta: 1 pound of ziti pasta
- Marinara Sauce: 4 cups of marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Ground Beef: 1 pound of ground beef (optional for a meat sauce)
- Onion: 1 medium onion, diced
- Garlic: 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup of ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Egg: 1 large egg
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt: 1 teaspoon of salt
- Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Fresh Basil: ¼ cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional for garnish)
How to Make Baked Ziti
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once the ziti is assembled.
2. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
3. Prepare the Meat Sauce (Optional)
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. If using ground beef, add it to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
4. Mix the Ricotta Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, the grated Parmesan cheese, the egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
5. Assemble the Baked Ziti
In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce (or marinara sauce if not using meat) on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta in an even layer. Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread it out evenly. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the ricotta layer. Repeat these layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce.
6. Top with Cheese
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the assembled ziti. This will create a delicious, gooey cheese layer once baked.
7. Bake the Ziti
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
8. Let it Rest
Once the baked ziti is finished cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the dish to set and makes it easier to cut and serve.
9. Garnish and Serve
Garnish the baked ziti with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting and delicious meal with your family and friends.
About the Main Ingredients
Ziti Pasta
Ziti pasta is a medium-sized tubular pasta that is perfect for baked dishes. Its shape holds sauces well, and it has a hearty texture that pairs beautifully with rich, cheesy bakes. Cooking the pasta al dente is crucial to prevent it from becoming mushy when baked.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is a simple tomato-based sauce that serves as the foundation for many Italian dishes. Whether homemade or store-bought, it should have a rich, balanced flavor. Simmering the sauce with onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning enhances its taste and creates a savory base for the ziti.
Ground Beef
Ground beef adds a hearty, meaty element to the baked ziti. It’s optional, but it creates a robust meat sauce that complements the other ingredients. Make sure to cook the beef until browned and drain any excess fat to avoid a greasy dish.
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is creamy and mild, adding richness to the baked ziti. Mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan, it forms a deliciously cheesy filling. The addition of an egg helps to bind the mixture, giving it a smooth, cohesive texture.
Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella cheese provides a gooey, melty top layer that is a signature of baked ziti. Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor that enhances the overall taste. Using a combination of these cheeses ensures a perfectly cheesy and flavorful dish.
Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning, a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, infuses the sauce with classic Italian flavors. It enhances the marinara sauce and ties all the ingredients together, making the baked ziti aromatic and delicious.
Fresh Basil
Fresh basil adds a bright, fresh element to the baked ziti. While optional, it makes a beautiful garnish and complements the rich, savory flavors of the dish.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can create a perfectly delicious and easy baked ziti that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests. Whether you choose to make a vegetarian version or include ground beef for a heartier meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the process and savor every bite of this classic comfort food!
