Classic Baked Ziti
Classic baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole made with tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and a blend of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese baked to golden perfection.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
Pasta
- 400 g ziti pasta
Meat Sauce
- 300 g ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
- Add marinara sauce to the beef and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix cooked pasta with ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella.
- Add meat sauce to the pasta mixture and combine thoroughly.
- Transfer to a baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 180°C for 25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese and avoid overcooking the pasta before baking.