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A classic Italian-American comfort food! Layers of tender ziti pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella, all baked to golden perfection. A guaranteed family favorite.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
Once the water is boiling, add 2 tablespoons of salt. Cook the ziti for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for a firm, al dente texture. Drain the pasta well and set it aside. Do not rinse.
While the pasta cooks, start the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it gently simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
In a medium bowl, prepare the ricotta filling. Whisk together the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the beaten egg, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt until smooth.
To assemble, add the drained pasta to the pot with the meat sauce and stir gently to coat everything. Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer and gently spread it out. Top with the remaining pasta and sauce mixture. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
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A classic Italian-American comfort food! Layers of tender ziti pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella, all baked to golden perfection. A guaranteed family favorite.
This italian_american recipe takes 105 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 760.98 calories per serving with 44g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or lunch.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set, making it easier to cut and serve clean slices. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Omit the ground beef and sausage. Sauté 1 lb of chopped mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers with the onion and garlic for a hearty vegetable-packed version.
Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet, and increase the red pepper flakes to 1 full teaspoon or more, to your preference.
Add 1/2 cup of shredded provolone or asiago cheese to the mozzarella topping for a more complex cheese flavor.
Use ground turkey instead of beef and sausage, and opt for part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheeses to reduce the fat content.
The combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and three types of cheese provides a high amount of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, including muscle.
With generous amounts of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, this dish is packed with calcium, a vital mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
The pasta serves as a great source of complex carbohydrates, which are broken down slowly by the body to provide a steady and sustained release of energy.
A typical serving of this Baked Ziti (about 1.5 cups) contains approximately 750-850 calories, depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the meat and cheese.
Baked Ziti is a rich, classic comfort food that is high in calories, fat, and sodium. While it's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, it does provide significant protein for muscle maintenance, calcium for bone health, and carbohydrates for energy.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Absolutely. Assemble the ziti in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding extra time as needed. You can also bake from frozen, which will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
The main differences are the pasta shape and the layering. Baked Ziti uses a tube-shaped pasta (ziti or penne) that is typically mixed with the sauce, while Lasagna uses wide, flat pasta sheets that are distinctly layered with sauce and cheese fillings.
Yes! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the meat. You can increase the heartiness by sautéing vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini with the onions and garlic before adding the tomatoes.