Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz ziti pasta, dry
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey, lean
- 15 oz ricotta cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Boil the ziti in salted water until al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than the package suggests). Drain and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat.
- Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked meat and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Mix the ricotta, remaining Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl until smooth.
- Toss the drained ziti with half the meat sauce so the pasta is coated.
- Spread half the sauced pasta into the baking dish. Dollop and gently spread the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
- Add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the meat sauce. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets and slices cleanly.
Notes
Let the pasta rest before cutting to ensure neat slices. Use al dente pasta as it finishes cooking in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian