Description
Hearty Italian-American ziti pasta nestles under a blanket of melted cheeses, creating pure comfort on your plate. Creamy ricotta, tangy marinara, and golden mozzarella merge for a deliciously satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or Italian sausage
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (24-ounce / 680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) container ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the culinary workspace to a toasty 375°F, preparing for a comforting pasta transformation.
- Transform ziti into perfectly tender strands through precise boiling, then gently drain and reserve.
- Awaken aromatic flavors by sautéing diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground meat into the skillet, browning thoroughly and eliminating excess fatty residue.
- Enhance the sauce with marinara, infusing rich herbs like basil and oregano, plus a whisper of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Allow flavors to meld and intensify through a gentle simmer.
- Create a luxurious cheese blend by combining ricotta’s creamy texture with mozzarella’s meltability and Parmesan’s sharp essence.
- Marry the cooked ziti with the cheese mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is lavishly coated.
- Transfer the cheesy pasta into a prepared baking vessel, creating an inviting landscape of culinary potential.
- Crown the dish with a generous layer of remaining mozzarella, promising a golden, bubbling surface.
- Bake until the cheese transforms into a molten, enticing golden blanket, approximately 20–25 minutes.
- Allow the ziti to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to settle and cheese to stabilize before serving. Optional: Scatter fresh herbs as a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize protein options by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for diverse dietary needs.
- Enhance gluten-free adaptability by using gluten-free ziti pasta and verifying marinara sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Boost vegetable content by mixing in roasted zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and create a more balanced meal.
- Simplify meal preparation by assembling the dish ahead of time and refrigerating before baking, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or make-ahead meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg