If you’re looking for a delicious and comforting meal, look no further than Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti. This classic Italian dish is a crowd pleaser and perfect for any occasion. With its warm and gooey cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and flavorful herbs, it’s hard to resist.
To make Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Start by boiling ziti pasta until it’s al dente, then drain it and set it aside. In a separate skillet, cook ground beef or sausage until it’s browned and crumbled. Add in diced onions and garlic for extra flavor.
Once the meat is cooked, mix in a jar of your favorite marinara sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. To make it even cheesier, add in shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Toss it all together until everything is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it with more shredded mozzarella. Bake it in the oven at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once it’s done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for an extra pop of color and flavor.
Easy Cheesy Baked Ziti is the perfect dish to serve at a family gathering, potluck, or weeknight dinner. It’s easy to make, delicious to eat, and sure to please everyone. So gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal.
In this article, we will share a delicious and simple recipe for making the perfect cheesy baked ziti.
To make this cheesy baked ziti, start by cooking the pasta until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the tomato sauce by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until they are fragrant and translucent. Then, add crushed tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, and pepper, and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes to develop its flavors.
Next, combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce and mix well. Then, layer half of the pasta mixture in a baking dish, followed by a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and cheese. Finally, bake the dish in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the ziti is heated through.
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| – 1 pound ziti pasta | – Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). |
| – 1 onion, diced | – Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. |
| – 2 cloves garlic, minced | – In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. |
| – 1 can crushed tomatoes | – Add the crushed tomatoes, dried herbs, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes. |
| – 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs | – In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with the tomato sauce. Mix well to combine. |
| – Salt and pepper to taste | – Layer half of the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish. Top with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. |
| – 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese | – Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta and cheese. |
| – Grated Parmesan cheese for topping | – Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. |
| – Serve the cheesy baked ziti hot, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. |
This easy cheesy baked ziti is a perfect dish for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a comforting meal that requires minimal effort. The combination of creamy, melted cheese, flavorful tomato sauce, and tender pasta creates a dish that is both hearty and satisfying. Make this cheesy baked ziti for your next family dinner and enjoy the taste of homemade comfort food.
Ingredients and Preparation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ziti pasta
- 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti pasta.
- Spoon half of the sauce over the pasta, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, sauce, and cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
This recipe makes about 8 servings, making it perfect for a family dinner or for meal prep. The combination of cheesy pasta and flavorful sauce creates a comforting and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
Discover the secrets to creating a mouthwatering baked ziti
If you’re craving a satisfying Italian dish, look no further than baked ziti. This classic comfort food combines perfectly cooked pasta, a rich tomato sauce, and a gooey cheese topping to create a dish that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
To start off this culinary adventure, the key ingredient is, of course, the pasta. Choose a sturdy pasta shape such as ziti or penne that can hold up to baking without turning mushy. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions, as it will continue to cook during the baking process. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Next, it’s time to layer on the flavors. Start by spreading a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Choose a high-quality marinara or tomato basil sauce, or make your own from scratch if you have the time. Sprinkle a layer of grated mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by a layer of cooked pasta. Repeat these layers until you’ve used up all the ingredients, finishing with a generous amount of cheese on top.
To ensure a perfectly baked ziti, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cheese to melt and bubble. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve a golden, crispy cheese topping.
Once the timer goes off, take out the baked ziti from the oven, and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. The dish is best enjoyed hot, straight out of the oven, when the cheese is at its stretchiest and the sauce is at its most flavorful.
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a gathering with friends, this easy cheesy baked ziti recipe is sure to impress. With the right ingredients and simple preparation steps, you can create a mouthwatering dish that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
