Baked Ziti
A rich and cheesy Italian-American classic, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings!
Ingredients:
1 lb ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb ground beef or turkey optional
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375F 190C. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. If using ground meat, cook until browned. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with half of the marinara sauce mixture.
Spread half of the pasta in the baking dish. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over it, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
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