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Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti

Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti
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Traditional Italian comfort dish featuring tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and three types of cheese creating perfect layers of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion for 5-7 minutes until meat is browned and onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. In large bowl, combine cooked ziti, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix until pasta is well coated.
  5. Spread half of pasta mixture in greased baking dish. Top with half of mozzarella and half of Parmesan cheese.
  6. Add remaining pasta mixture and top with rest of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  7. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Let baked ziti cool for 5-10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and moisture. Italian sausage adds extra flavor depth.
  • Part-skim ricotta and mozzarella work well for reduced calories while maintaining creaminess.
  • Dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
  • Save some pasta water when draining to thin sauce if needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/creamy-cheesy-baked-ziti/