Description
This Best Ever Baked Ziti is a crowd-pleasing, cheesy, and hearty Italian dish. It combines ziti pasta, savory ground beef (or sausage), marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes, all baked with a mix of fresh mozzarella, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese for a perfect, melty finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef, or ground sausage
- 28 ounces marinara sauce (or store-bought)
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef (or sausage) over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juices), garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
- Assemble the dish: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce. Stir in the fresh mozzarella cheese, 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the ziti. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the ziti sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Italian
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian