Baked Ziti

Tender ziti is layered with a hearty garlic tomato and ground beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and plenty of melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a comforting oven-baked pasta dinner.

Prep: 25 min · Cook: 45 min · Yield: 8 · Method: Oven

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 2.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese

Cooking instructions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain well; do not rinse. (about 10 min) — 375°F
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned and no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. (about 6 min) — Medium-high
3. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. (about 15 min) — Medium
4. In a bowl, stir together the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. (about 3 min)
5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add half the ziti, half the remaining sauce, and spoon dollops of the ricotta mixture over the top. Repeat with the remaining ziti, sauce, ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan. (about 5 min)
6. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and the center reaches 165°F, about 10 to 15 minutes more. (about 35 min) — 375°F
7. Rest the baked ziti for 10 minutes before serving so the layers set. (about 10 min)