Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

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🍝 Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

📝 Description

Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is a classic Italian-American comfort dish made with tender ziti pasta, a rich tomato-based meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals. This oven-baked pasta delivers bold flavors with minimal effort.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta

  • Water (for boiling)

  • 1 tbsp salt

For the Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara sauce

  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) crushed tomatoes

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp dried basil

  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Cheese Layer

  • 1½ cups ricotta cheese

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 egg (optional, for a firmer texture)

  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and set aside.

  2. Prepare the Meat Sauce
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    Add onion and sauté until soft (3–4 minutes).
    Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    Add ground meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
    Stir in marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.

  3. Prepare the Cheese Mixture
    In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, egg (if using), and parsley.

  4. Assemble the Dish
    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
    Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
    Add half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce.
    Repeat layers and top with mozzarella cheese.

  5. Bake
    Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
    Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

  6. Rest & Serve
    Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Servings

  • Serves: 6–8 people

  • Serving Size: ~1½ cups per serving

🧠 Tips & Notes

  • Use Italian sausage for extra flavor.

  • Undercook pasta slightly to prevent mushiness.

  • Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrition.

  • Letting it rest helps the layers set properly.

  • Make it spicy by increasing red pepper flakes.

❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Refrigerator: Up to 4 days

  • Freezer: Up to 3 months (unbaked or baked)

  • Reheating: Oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through

🥗 Nutritional Information (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 480–520 kcal

  • Protein: 28 g

  • Carbohydrates: 42 g

  • Fat: 24 g

  • Saturated Fat: 11 g

  • Fiber: 4 g

  • Sodium: 850 mg

(Values vary by ingredients used)

💪 Health Benefits

  • High in protein for muscle support

  • Provides calcium from cheese for bone health

  • Tomatoes offer antioxidants like lycopene

  • Can be customized with vegetables for added fiber

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make this without meat?
A: Yes! Replace meat with sautéed vegetables or plant-based meat.

Q: Can I use other pasta shapes?
A: Absolutely—penne or rigatoni work well.

Q: Is the egg necessary?
A: No, it’s optional. It just helps the ricotta layer set more firmly.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

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