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Cheesy Baked Ziti

Cheesy baked ziti with meat sauce and melted mozzarella on a white plate.
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This classic Southern Italian comfort dish features layers of al dente ziti, a rich meaty tomato sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. It is a simple, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights, potlucks, and cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage and onion, breaking up the meat. Cook until browned and onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Mix well.
  5. In the large pot or a mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with about two-thirds of the meat sauce. Stir to coat.
  6. Spread half of the saucy pasta into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Dollop and gently spread the ricotta mixture over it. Top with remaining saucy pasta. Spoon the reserved one-third of meat sauce over the top.
  7. Sprinkle with remaining 3 cups mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for 15-20 more minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, cook pasta al dente and let the baked ziti rest before serving to allow it to set. You can use ground beef or turkey instead of sausage. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add mushrooms or lentils. The dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated or frozen before baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.homestyletable.com/cheesy-baked-ziti/