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Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti: A Family Favorite Comfort Dish

A close-up of a baked portion of cheesy ziti with a dramatic cheese pull, topped with rich meat sauce.
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Make the ultimate comfort food with this easy Baked Ziti recipe. It features creamy ricotta, savory sauce, and gooey mozzarella, making it a dependable family favorite for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  4. Stir the Italian seasoning and garlic powder into the meat. Pour in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until the ingredients are fully blended and creamy.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti, half of the meat sauce, and the ricotta mixture. Stir gently until the pasta is evenly coated.
  7. Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
  8. Top with the remaining pasta mixture. Pour the remaining meat sauce over the top layer.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
  10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For an extra creamy texture, whip the ricotta mixture briefly with a hand mixer before combining it with the pasta.
  • You can prepare this entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • Use high-quality marinara sauce; this makes a difference in the final flavor of your Italian comfort food.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/easy-cheesy-baked-ziti-recipe/