Baked Ziti
Dive into this scrumptious Baked Ziti recipe and learn how to select the finest ingredients and master preparation techniques. Impress your family and friends with this delectable, heartwarming dish!
Ingredients:
1 lb. ziti pasta
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion (diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 lb. ground beef
2 jars (24 oz. each of tomato sauce)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
Add tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
Add the meat sauce to the bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add the pasta mixture to the dish, spreading it out evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.