Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food that never goes out of style. This delightful dish combines hearty pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese layers, making it perfect for family dinners or potlucks. It's a classic that everyone will love.
The star of this dish is the ziti pasta, which is perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauces and cheese. The olive oil helps sauté the aromatic onion and garlic, giving a fragrant base to the meat sauce. The ground beef adds a hearty, savory flavor that's complemented by the marinara sauce. Mixing ricotta cheese with an egg creates a creamy layer that contrasts beautifully with the robust meat sauce. The mozzarella cheese melts into a stretchy, golden topping, while the Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, nutty finish. Season with salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano for a burst of Italian flavors.
This baked ziti is deliciously rich, so pair it with a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. A side of garlic bread or a warm loaf of Italian bread is perfect for mopping up any extra sauce on your plate.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking. While that's warming up, cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it's al dente. Drain it well, then set it aside.
Next, take a large skillet and heat up a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion turns translucent and fragrant. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
Now, add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until it's nicely browned and crumbled, making sure to drain any excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce, dried basil, and dried oregano. Let this simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Grab a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and start layering. Begin with half of the cooked ziti, then evenly spread the ricotta mixture over it. Pour half of the meat sauce on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over that layer. Repeat these steps with the remaining ingredients.
Cover the dish with foil and bake it in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving to ensure everything holds together nicely.
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