Description
This Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy dish that’s perfect for family dinners. With layers of melted mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan, combined with a rich tomato sauce, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s the ultimate baked pasta recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or Italian sausage) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well mixed.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use Italian sausage for a spicier, more flavorful twist.
- For extra creaminess, add an additional cup of ricotta or cream cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of the dish)
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Creamy cheesy baked ziti, baked ziti recipe, cheesy baked pasta, comfort food pasta, Italian baked ziti, creamy baked ziti