Italian-American Free recipe

Baked Ziti

There is a reason Baked Ziti shows up on repeat in this kitchen: tube pasta baked with meat sauce and gooey cheese. A gentle simmer -- not a hard boil -- is what keeps everything tender instead of tough.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Additional: 10 min Total: 55 min

55Minutes

6Servings

4.5Rating

EasyLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

A short, straightforward ingredient list with no special equipment needed.
The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

1 lb ziti
1 lb ground beef
1 onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara
15 oz ricotta
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

575Calories

42gFat

11gCarbs

37gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti 2 minutes less than the package. Drain.
Step 2
In a skillet, brown the beef over medium-high, about 7 minutes. Add the onion and cook 4 minutes, then the garlic for 1 minute.
Step 3
Stir in the marinara and Italian seasoning and simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine the drained ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, and half the mozzarella. Stir to coat.
Step 5
Spread into a 9x13 dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan.
Step 6
Bake 25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Cook's tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.
Prep all the ingredients before you start cooking; this one moves quickly once it is on the heat.

Keep cooking