Get ready for the ultimate comfort food – Baked Ziti! This classic Italian-American dish is a crowd-pleaser, combining perfectly cooked ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory ground beef and sausage, and a generous layer of melted cheeses. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a dinner party, this Baked Ziti recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
If you’ve got picky eaters at home like me, well this version is for you. Although not traditional, I included ricotta in only half of my baked ziti and did not mix it in. You are definitely welcome to blend it in with your meat mixture but this is the perfect compromise for those who prefer no ricotta.
A Glimpse Into Baked Ziti History
Baked Ziti finds its roots in Italy, where pasta reigns supreme in regional kitchens. However, the dish as we know it today evolved and blossomed in the vibrant Italian-American communities that sprouted across the United States in the early 20th century. It was a time of adaptation, where traditional recipes met the availability of ingredients in the new world, giving birth to unique and delicious hybrids.
Originally, the dish was often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings. Its simplicity and heartiness made it a favorite for Sunday dinners, celebrations, and communal feasts. Over time, Baked Ziti transformed into a symbol of togetherness, embodying the essence of home and heart.
A Modern Twist On Baked Ziti
While the essence of Baked Ziti remains deeply rooted in tradition, modern variations have emerged to cater to diverse tastes. Vegetarians can revel in meat-free renditions, substituting mushrooms or spinach for the ground beef, while adventurous cooks might experiment with different cheese blends or artisanal pasta shapes.
As we delve into the heart of this recipe, remember that each layer and ingredient tells a story – a tale of generations sharing meals, laughter, and love around the dinner table. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and join us in crafting a Baked Ziti masterpiece that transcends time and brings the warmth of tradition to your kitchen.
Baked Ziti Video
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Can I Make this Pasta Casserole Ahead?
Refrigerate Overnight: You can assemble, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350˚F, covered with foil for 15 minutes until it comes to room temperature, then remove foil and bake as directed in the recipe.
To Freeze: Tightly cover and freeze unbaked casserole up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake at 350˚F covered in foil for 20 minutes to bring it to temperature. Uncover and finish baking as directed in the recipe.
Our Ingredients
Ziti: I mean this is called baked ziti so one should use ziti LOL! Ziti pasta’s tubular shape traps the meat, sauce, and cheese, so you get a bit of everything with every bite. If you do not have ziti, penne pasta, rigatoni, or mostaccioli would be a good substitute.
Mild ground Italian sausage: Most groceries carry ground Italian sausage but if you can’t find any you can always find regular Italian sausage and remove the casings.
Marinara: You can use your favorite store bought marinara. It will simmer along with your crushed tomatoes and herbs to create the perfect sauce for your ziti.
Crushed Tomatoes: I’m using San Marzano crushed tomatoes. I love their distinctive sweetness, low acidity, and concentrated tomato flavor.
Cheeses: You’ll need three different kinds of cheese, parmesan, ricotta, and mozzarella. Make sure to grate your cheese yourself although you can buy your mozzarella pre grated if in a pinch. I’m using ricotta in only half my dish because I have some picky eaters but if you don’t, you can add in the ricotta to your meat sauce before assembling.
Baked Ziti
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1 onion chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 bottle marinara sauce
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 10 oz fresh ricotta
- 1 bunch fresh oregano
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 cups grated parmigiano reggiano shredded
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning mine has chili flakes in it
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Start by grating your cheeses and set them aside.
- Brown your 1 lb of ground beef and 1 lb of mild italian sausage.
- In a separate pan, sauté your garlic and onions until aromatic to bring out the most flavor. I sautéed this for about five minutes.
- Add the onion and garlic mixture to your meat. Add in 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp of salt, garlic powder, onion powder.
- Add in your marinara, one can of crushed tomatoes and sugar.
- Top with a bunch of oregano. You'll remove the oregano once your sauce is ready. Simmer on low for 45 minutes to an hour.
- Boil water in a large pot and add in your chicken bouillon. Once the water is boiling add in your ziti and cook it a few minutes short of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Once it’s done, we are going to top it with two tbsp of our mozzarella and two tbsp of our parmesan and add about a ladle of sauce.
- To build out our dish let’s start with a layer of sauce, followed by a layer of ziti, top that off with one cup of your mozzarella and one cup of your parmesan.
- Top with another layer of sauce.
- I’m adding ricotta to only half my dish bc I have some picky eaters but you can add it to the entire dish or combine it in your meat sauce before building the dish.
- Top with Ziti, one cup of parmesan and the remainder of your mozzarella.
- Top with our final round of sauce and make sure it’s fully covered.
- Finish off with the remaining one cup of your parmesan.
- Bake it uncovered in a preheated oven at 375F for 30 minutes and then broil it for 4-5 minutes or until top is golden.
