Description
A crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish with savory meat sauce and creamy cheese, perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes), then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown your choice of ground beef or Italian sausage until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and some Parmesan until creamy.
- Grease a baking dish and layer: half the cooked ziti, meat sauce, and cheese mixture. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
Notes
Let sit for a few minutes before serving. Pair with a fresh salad or garlic bread.