Baked Ziti Recipe
This baked ziti recipe is super easy to make. It's a crowd-pleaser and can be made a day ahead. It's perfect for parties and even picky-eaters will love it.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dry baked ziti or penne
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 (26 oz.) jars spaghetti sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese or 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot and add diced onions. Saute onion until soft about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook until the meat is brown and cooked through. Drain off fat but leave some for moisture.
- Add spaghetti sauce. Stir and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Turn off heat and let it cool.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and ziti. Cook pasta until al dente about 8 minutes. Do not overcook.
- Drain ziti in a strainer and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- You may add a tbsp of olive oil, so pasta won't stick together.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Pour half of the meat sauce in the bottom of 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Add 1/2 of the ziti over the meat sauce then add ricotta cheese. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top. (See notes for a different process)
- Then add another layer with the rest of the ziti and and meat sauce. Add the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake until bubbling, about 30-35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Spreading the ricotta or sour cream over ziti can be a little tricky. If you want a simpler process you may try this.
- In a large bowl, mix together ziti and ricotta cheese.
- Pour half of the meat sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add the ziti mixture on top then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- To make another layer, add the rest of the ziti mixture and pour the remaining meat sauce over top of the ziti.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until brown. Enjoy!