Baked Ziti Italian Casserole (Printable Version)
Tender ziti layered with savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, baked to a golden crust.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 -
16 ounces dry ziti pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 -
0.5 pound ground beef
03 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
1 large onion, chopped
05 -
24 ounces spaghetti sauce
06 -
8 ounces tomato sauce
07 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Cheeses
08 -
15 ounces ricotta cheese
09 -
0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
10 -
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Set oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) for baking.
02 -
Boil ziti according to package until al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 -
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until beef is browned and onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
04 -
Stir spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and oregano into beef mixture. Heat until sauce boils, then remove from heat.
05 -
Mix 1 cup of meat sauce with cooked ziti until evenly coated.
06 -
Spoon half of ziti mixture into baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese evenly over it, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and pour 1 cup of remaining sauce on top.
07 -
Add remaining half of ziti mixture, then top with remaining sauce.
08 -
Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to retain moisture.
09 -
Remove foil, sprinkle parmesan cheese and remaining 0.5 cup mozzarella evenly on top.
10 -
Return dish to oven uncovered and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
For best results, use freshly shredded cheeses and avoid overcooking pasta to maintain texture.