Name: Baked Ziti
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ziti pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 cup ricotta cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
Stir in the dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella. Mix well to combine.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and meat sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the dish.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition Facts