Description
This classic Baked Ziti recipe features a hearty meat sauce made with Italian sausage and ground beef simmered in a rich tomato base. Combined with tender ziti pasta and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, it’s baked until bubbling and golden, perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The layers of cheese and sauce deliver a comforting Italian-American favorite with a balanced flavor and cheesy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound Italian sausage (can substitute with turkey sausage)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 oz whole tomatoes with juice (crushed by hand)
- 29 oz tomato sauce or marinara
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Cheese Mixture
- 16 oz ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni)
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ pounds mozzarella cheese (shredded and divided)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Brown Meat: Stir in Italian sausage and ground beef. Cook until fully browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat while leaving some moisture to keep sauce rich.
- Simmer Sauce: Add hand-crushed whole tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes to deepen flavors. Reserve 3–4 cups of sauce and let cool slightly for later use.
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti pasta in salted water until just nearly al dente (slightly undercooked for baking). Drain pasta and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, gently combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir carefully to maintain pockets of ricotta.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Mix the cooled pasta with the cheese mixture and then add the reserved meat sauce. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the mixture is coated but not overly wet.
- Assemble Layers: In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, followed by half of the remaining meat sauce and some shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and mozzarella.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled ziti for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- To prevent the pasta from drying out, avoid overcooking it before baking.
- Make sure to reserve some sauce to maintain moisture and flavor balance in the casserole.
- Resting the baked ziti after baking helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes to taste.
