Baked Ziti with Ricotta

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
   • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt.
   • Add the ziti and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. The pasta should still have a firm bite.
   • Drain the pasta well in a colander. Do not rinse it.
2. 2

   Prepare the Meat Sauce

   • While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook until it is browned all over, about 8-10 minutes.
   • Carefully drain off any excess grease from the pot.
   • Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
   • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
   • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, 1.5 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
   • Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it gently simmer for at least 20 minutes for the flavors to meld.
3. 3

   Mix the Ricotta Filling

   • In a medium bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta, egg, half of the grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup), and the chopped fresh parsley.
   • Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and mix until smooth and well combined.
4. 4

   Assemble the Casserole

   • Add the drained, cooked ziti to the pot with the meat sauce. Stir gently until the pasta is fully coated.
   • Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
   • Dollop the ricotta mixture by the spoonful over the pasta layer. It does not need to be a perfect, even layer.
   • Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups).
   • Top with the remaining pasta and sauce mixture, spreading it evenly.
   • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) over the top.
5. 5

   Bake the Ziti

   • Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots.
6. 6

   Rest and Serve

   • Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This is crucial for allowing the casserole to set.
   • Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired, then slice and serve hot.