Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, cooked and drained
- Fresh basil, to taste (chopped or torn for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Boil the ziti in salted water until just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package time). Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the onion in olive oil over medium heat until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the pan, break it up, and cook until no pink remains. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat.
- Stir the marinara sauce into the meat and simmer 3–5 minutes to blend flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan. Stir until pasta is evenly coated.
- Spoon half of the ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a light layer of mozzarella and Parmesan. Add the remaining ziti, then top with the remaining cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden on top. Broil for 1–2 minutes for a crispier top, watching closely.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes after removing from oven. Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta; use whole-milk ricotta for a creamier texture. Drain cooked meat well to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: None