Pin It A comforting Italian-American pasta casserole featuring tender ziti, a rich meat sauce, and gooey melted cheeses—perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
This recipe reminds me of Sunday suppers at home when a bubbling tray of baked ziti would bring everyone to the table. The aroma of tomato sauce and melting cheese always signaled comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
- Ziti pasta: 450 g (1 lb)
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Ground beef: 500 g (1 lb)
- Italian sausage: 400 g (14 oz), casings removed
- Canned crushed tomatoes: 800 g (28 oz)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Dried basil: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes: 1/2 tsp (optional)
- Salt: 1 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Ricotta cheese: 425 g (15 oz)
- Egg: 1 large
- Grated Parmesan cheese: 50 g (1/2 cup), plus 30 g (1/4 cup) for topping
- Chopped fresh parsley: 2 tbsp
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 250 g (2 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven & Dish:
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 23x33 cm (9x13-inch) baking dish.
- Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add ground beef and sausage. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Mix Ricotta Filling:
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley until well combined.
- Layer Casserole:
- In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers: remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, meat sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest & Serve:
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Pin It This baked ziti has become a weeknight staple the whole family eagerly awaits – there's never a crumb left after dinner!
Serving Suggestions
Serve your baked ziti with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread. For drinks, a glass of Chianti or Sangiovese complements the flavors beautifully.
Ingredient Swaps
Try using ground turkey or chicken in place of beef and sausage for a lighter version, or add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to sneak in extra veggies.
Storing & Reheating
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover and warm the whole casserole in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until hot.
Pin It This baked ziti is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – cheesy, saucy, and bubbling from the oven, it's pure comfort in every bite!
Recipe FAQs
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Ziti is ideal due to its tubular shape that holds sauces well, but penne or rigatoni can be good substitutes.
- → How can I make the meat sauce more flavorful?
Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant, and simmer sauce with oregano, basil, and tomato paste.
- → Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers can be stirred into the sauce or layered for added texture and flavor.
- → What cheeses are used in the layering?
The dish features ricotta mixed with Parmesan and parsley, layered with shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top for a golden crust.
- → How long should the baked dish rest before serving?
Let it rest for about 10 minutes after baking to allow the layers to set and cool slightly for easier serving.
- → Can the dish be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it in advance and refrigerate before baking, which makes it convenient for meal planning.