Description
A hearty Italian-American comfort dish featuring layers of ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, baked until bubbly and golden brown. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15–20 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the parmesan. Mix until smooth.
- To assemble: Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, a layer of sauce, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella. Top with remaining parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly underdone since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- For extra richness, add a splash of red wine to the sauce.
- Can be assembled ahead of time and baked before serving.