Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef or ground pork (or a mix of both)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

For the Baked Ziti:

  • 1 pound ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 2 cups (16 ounces) ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (optional)
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
  • Instructions:
  • Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
  1. Cook the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Sauté Onion & Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the pan with the meat and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Add Tomatoes & Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 2: Cook the Ziti

  1. Boil the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions, until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

  1. Mix Ricotta & Egg: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, and fresh parsley (if using). Stir until smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Assemble the Baked Ziti

  1. Layer the Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of the dish. Add half of the cooked pasta on top of the sauce.
  2. Add Ricotta Mixture: Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread it evenly. Top with half of the remaining tomato sauce.
  3. Repeat Layers: Add the rest of the pasta on top, then spread the rest of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the ricotta. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella on top.

Step 5: Bake

  1. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Serve

  1. Garnish and Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a full meal.

Tips:

  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the dish a day in advance, assemble everything, and refrigerate it until ready to bake. If baking from cold, add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.
  • Vegetarian Option: Omit the meat and add extra vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for a vegetarian version.
  • Add Sausage: For extra flavor, you can mix in some Italian sausage along with the ground beef.

Enjoy your hearty, cheesy, and comforting baked ziti!