If you're in the mood for a comforting and filling meal, look no further than this tasty Baked Ziti recipe. With layers of pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is sure to please the whole family. And the best part? It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dry ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Image description: A photo of all the ingredients required for making Baked Ziti, including ziti pasta, ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, tomato sauce, and chopped parsley. Mix well.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread half of the ziti mixture evenly in the bottom.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese over the ziti mixture.
- Top with the remaining ziti mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Image description: A photo of a delicious and cheesy Baked Ziti dish, with layers of pasta, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
There you have it - a simple yet satisfying Baked Ziti recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta or add your favorite veggies for a personal touch. Buon appetito!