Easy Baked Ziti

$For this easy baked ziti, you will need: - 1 pound ziti pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 medium onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes - 1 can (15 ounces) ricotta cheese - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil) - Salt and pepper to taste These ingredients form the base of your dish. The ziti pasta gives a great texture, while the ground meat adds heartiness. The cheeses make it rich and creamy. You can add some optional ingredients for extra flavor: - Fresh basil leaves for garnish - Sliced mushrooms - Spinach or kale - Red pepper flakes for heat These ingredients can change the dish's taste. Fresh herbs will add a bright flavor. Spinach or kale boosts nutrition without changing much. To make this recipe smooth, you might want these tools: - Large pot for boiling pasta - Large skillet for cooking meat - Mixing bowl for combining ingredients - 9x13 inch baking dish for baking - Spatula for mixing These tools are key to making your baked ziti. They help keep things organized and make cooking easier. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step warms the oven for baking. Next, boil a large pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add 1 pound of ziti pasta. Cook it until it's al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside. In a large skillet, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat it over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it’s soft. Then, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 pound of ground beef or turkey. Cook until the meat is brown, which takes about 5-7 minutes. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks. After that, pour in 1 can of crushed tomatoes. Let it simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons of dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce. Add 1 can of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix everything well until it’s all coated. Transfer this mixture to a greased baking dish, which should be about 9x13 inches. Spread the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top of the ziti. Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for bubbly, golden cheese on top. Once it's done, take it out and let it sit for 5 minutes. You can garnish with fresh basil leaves if you want. Enjoy your easy baked ziti! To get the right texture, cook the ziti until it is al dente. This means it should be firm to the bite. Overcooking can make the pasta mushy. Remember, it will cook more in the oven. Mixing the pasta with the sauce helps keep it moist. You can boost the flavor of your baked ziti. Adding fresh herbs makes a big difference. Try using fresh basil or parsley. You can also add veggies like spinach or bell peppers. If you like spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes works well too. For a cheesy twist, mix in more mozzarella or try adding ricotta. One common mistake is not draining the pasta well. Excess water can make your dish watery. Avoid using too much sauce; it can drown the ziti. Make sure to layer your cheeses evenly. This ensures every bite has that cheesy goodness. Lastly, don’t skip letting it cool for a few minutes after baking. This helps the dish set and makes serving easier. Pro Tips Choose the Right Pasta: While ziti is traditional, you can substitute with penne or rigatoni for a different texture. Make it Vegetarian: Substitute ground beef or turkey with mushrooms or lentils for a hearty vegetarian option. Extra Creaminess: For an even creamier dish, mix in a little heavy cream with the ricotta cheese. Perfectly Baked Cheese: To achieve a golden crust, broil the ziti for a couple of minutes at the end of baking, but watch closely to prevent burning! {{image_2}} You can make a tasty vegetarian baked ziti. Start by swapping ground meat for veggies. Use zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers for flavor. You can also add spinach or kale for a healthy boost. Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese or a vegan option. This keeps the creamy texture while being meat-free. If you need a gluten-free baked ziti, choose gluten-free ziti pasta. Many brands offer this option. Check the label to ensure it is truly gluten-free. Instead of wheat-based pasta, you can use rice or quinoa. These options work well and still taste great. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to your meat sauce. You can also mix in some diced jalapeños or hot sausage. If you love cheese, try pepper jack for extra heat. Top with fresh chili slices before baking for added spice. To keep your leftover baked ziti fresh, let it cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to cover it tightly. This way, it stays moist and tasty. When you're ready to enjoy your baked ziti again, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the ziti out of the fridge and cover it with foil. This keeps the heat in and prevents the cheese from burning. Bake for about 20 minutes or until it’s hot all the way through. You can also microwave it. Just put a portion on a plate and heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to heat evenly. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. First, let the baked ziti cool completely. Then, cut it into portions. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. Label it with the date. It will stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above for best results. Yes, you can make baked ziti ahead of time. Prepare the dish up to baking. Cover it with foil and store it in the fridge. You can bake it later, but add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. This makes meal prep easy and saves time. You can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese. Blend it a bit for creaminess. Another option is cream cheese. You can also mix Greek yogurt with a bit of salt. Each substitute gives a slightly different taste, but it will still be tasty. Baked ziti is done when the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. You can check the center to see if it’s hot. Use a knife to poke into the dish. If it comes out hot, your ziti is ready. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Many people find baked ziti tastes better the next day. The flavors get a chance to mix and deepen overnight. When you reheat it, the cheese may become even more gooey. Just make sure to cover it to keep it moist. Enjoy it as a leftover treat! This guide covers all you need for baked ziti. We explored the key ingredients and best kitchen tools. You learned how to prep your oven, cook the sauce, and assemble your dish. I shared tips for perfect texture and flavor, along with common mistakes to avoid. You even found tasty variations and storage info. Enjoy your cooking and feel free to get creative with this versatile dish!$

Savor the ultimate comfort of Cheesy Baked Ziti with this simple Baked Ziti Recipe that combines ziti with ricotta cheese for a creamy, flavorful experience. Perfect for any occasion, this Easy Pasta Bake brings Italian comfort food right to your table. With easy-to-follow steps and delicious ingredients, you'll want to make this dish again and again. Save this recipe for your next family dinner! #BakedZiti #CheesyPasta #ItalianRecipes #ComfortFood

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Ingredients

1 pound ziti pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef (or turkey)

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 can (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spatula (about 5-7 minutes).

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in the Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to combine.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.

Transfer the ziti mixture into a greased baking dish (about 9x13 inches).

Top the ziti with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.

Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6