Description
This easy baked ziti pasta casserole is a comforting Italian-American classic, combining al dente pasta with a flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd, the layers of cheesy goodness baked to golden perfection make this dish irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb ziti pasta, or penne pasta or gluten-free pasta
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz fresh ricotta
- 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Toppings
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain. Do not overcook as the pasta will continue cooking in the oven.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is fully cooked and onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper, sauté for one minute more. Pour in marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes, then turn off heat.
- Mix Ricotta and Basil: Stir chopped fresh basil and ricotta cheese into the remaining meat sauce until combined, keeping the ricotta texture intact.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and stir gently just until noodles are coated with the sauce and ricotta mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread a ladle of meat sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish. Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish by sprinkling the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the dish. Make sure to clear cheese from the edges of the pan to prevent burning.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the assembled casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25 minutes. Then broil for 1-2 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with extra basil if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta as a substitute if necessary for gluten-free diets.
- Leave out ground beef and substitute with plant-based meat for a vegetarian variation.
- Do not overcook the pasta before baking to avoid mushy texture.
- Clearing the edges before baking prevents cheese from sticking and burning on the sides.
- Broiling at the end creates a lovely golden crust on the cheese topping.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked right before serving for convenience.
