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Baked Ziti in the baking dish.

Classic Baked Ziti

Diana
This is the ultimate baked ziti recipe: a hearty, flavorful dish with layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and gooey mozzarella.
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Servings 8 servings
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Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces ziti
  • Kosher salt for the cooking water, about 4 teaspoons
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 large jar spaghetti sauce, 24 to 32 ounces
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions for al dente. While the pasta is cooking, combine the eggs, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Drain the pasta and stir into the cheese mixture.
    Combining the hot cooked ziti with ricotta, egg, and cheese mixture.
  • Meanwhile, cook the ground beef. Put the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook it undisturbed for 4 minutes. Then, break it up, add the onions and garlic, and continue cooking until it is no longer pink.
    Cooking the ground beef and onions for a big meal of baked ziti.
  • Add the spaghetti sauce or marinara to the beef mixture and bring to a simmer.
    Completing the sauce for baked ziti.
  • Spoon 1/3 of the beef sauce mixture into a 2 1/2—to 3-qt baking dish, top with half the pasta, repeat the two layers, and finish with the last 1/3 of sauce.
    Layering the ziti mixture and meat sauce in the baking dish.
  • Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and top with the remaining mozzarella; bake for a few more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
    Baked ziti with the mozzarella cheese topping.

Notes

If you prepared the casserole in advance, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Bake as directed, but if it's still quite cool it may take longer. Look for an internal temperature of 160 F to 165 F before finishing with the cheese topping.
Keyword baked ziti, casseroles, mozzarella, potluck supper, ricotta cheese, tomato sauce
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