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Best Baked Ziti Ever Recipe

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This is the Best Baked Ziti Ever Recipe! Layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese come together to create the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, this baked ziti is an easy, flavorful dish everyone will love!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Add marinara sauce to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with half the meat sauce.
  • Spread a layer of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Add dollops of ricotta cheese and sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the rest of the meat sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a lighter option.
  • Use a mix of ground beef and sausage for extra flavor.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day!

Nutrition

Find it online: https://emiliarecipes.com/best-baked-ziti-ever-recipe/