Description
A warm, comforting baked ziti dish with layers of ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a gooey cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti
- 1.25 cups ricotta
- 1.5 cups mozzarella
- 1.25 cups parmesan
- Parsley
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 large onion
- 1.25 lb ground beef
- 28 oz tomato passata
- 3/4 cup water
- 1.5 tsp basil
- 1.5 tsp oregano
- 1.5 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2.5 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1.25 tsp salt
- 1.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the tomato passata, water, basil, oregano, sugar, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Combine the cooked ziti with the sauce, stirring until well coated.
- Layer half of the ziti mixture in a greased baking dish.
- Dollop with half of the ricotta cheese, and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and parmesan.
- Repeat layering with the remaining ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Use quality ingredients for the best flavor, and consider letting the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes after baking for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg