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Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

The ultimate comfort food, Baked Ziti combines creamy cheese with rich beef and savory sauce for an easy weeknight dinner. With its gooey, melty layers, it's a dish that's sure to warm your heart and satisfy your hunger. Make it tonight for a family favorite!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces Ziti
  • ½ pound Ground Beef
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 large Onion (chopped)
  • 24 ounces Spaghetti Sauce
  • 8 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1½ cups Mozzarella Cheese (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup)

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Chef's Knife
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook ziti and set aside.
  3. On medium heat, cook beef, onion, and garlic until beef is browned.
  4. Stir in sauces and oregano, and keep on heat until the mixture starts to boil.
  5. Combine 1 cup of the beef and sauce mixture with the cooked ziti.
  6. Spoon in ½ of the ziti mixture into a large baking dish.
  7. Top with ricotta and 1 cup of mozzarella and 1 cup of sauce.
  8. Spoon in the rest of the ziti mixture and top with the rest of the sauce.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove foil and sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and remaining mozzarella.
  11. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes.

Notes

  • Adding a pinch of salt: Enhances the flavor of the pasta.
  • Cover with foil: For the first twenty minutes to give the final dish a luscious creaminess.
  • Removing the foil: In the final ten minutes browns things just enough.
  • If you prefer a crustier top: Simply forego the aluminum foil.
  • To brown your cheese slightly: You can turn your broiler on for the last minute of melting the cheese.