Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Classic Baked Ziti
- The Secret to a Perfectly Cheesy Baked Ziti
- How to Make This Recipe Ahead of Time
- Serving Suggestions: What Goes Well with Baked Ziti?
- Customizing Your Baked Ziti: Variations & Add-Ins
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
– This baked ziti recipe is a comforting, cheesy Italian-American classic.- It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.- You can customize it with different proteins, vegetables, or cheeses.- This dish can be made ahead of time and freezes well for meal prepping.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Baked Ziti
At Betty Cooks, we believe in creating hearty, delicious meals that bring families together. This classic baked ziti recipe is packed with cheesy goodness, a rich tomato sauce, and the perfect balance of flavors. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
The Secret to a Perfectly Cheesy Baked Ziti
The key to achieving that irresistible, gooey texture in a cheesy baked ziti is layering. Combining ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan gives the dish a creamy and melty consistency that everyone loves. Baking it uncovered for the last few minutes helps create that golden, bubbly cheese topping.
How to Make This Recipe Ahead of Time
Need a meal that fits into your busy schedule? This easy pasta bake is a great make-ahead option. You can assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. If freezing, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then bake straight from frozen with an additional 15-20 minutes of cook time.
Serving Suggestions: What Goes Well with Baked Ziti?
Baked ziti pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. A simple green salad with Italian dressing, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables complement its rich flavors. Want to make it extra special? Serve it with a side of homemade meatballs or a fresh Caprese salad.
Customizing Your Baked Ziti: Variations & Add-Ins
One of the best things about homemade baked pasta dishes is how customizable they are! Here are some delicious variations:
- Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a spicier kick.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra veggies.
- Swap ricotta for cottage cheese for a lighter version.
- For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese before baking.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, or microwave individual portions for a quick meal. For freezing, wrap portions in plastic wrap and foil to preserve freshness.
Classic Baked Ziti Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
- Stir in minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and fresh parsley.
- Mix cooked ziti with half of the sauce.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the baking dish, top with half of the ricotta mixture and half of the shredded mozzarella.
- Repeat layers and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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