Oh, you guys! Get ready for a recipe that’s going to make your kitchen smell absolutely divine and your family cheer for more. This Baked Ziti with Mozzarella is pure comfort in a dish. It’s that kind of meal that just wraps you up like a warm hug, you know? As a chef who usually lives and breathes Spanish flavors, I have a total soft spot for Italian-American classics, and this one? It’s perfection. It’s hearty, it’s cheesy, and honestly, it’s ridiculously satisfying to make.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
- It’s seriously easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight!
- Packed with that gooey, melty mozzarella you dream about.
- It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that the whole family will devour.
- Pure comfort food bliss in every single bite.
Carmen’s Culinary Journey with Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Even though I’m all about the vibrant tastes of Spain, I’ve always been drawn to the soul-warming dishes from other cultures. This baked ziti reminds me of the simple, honest cooking that brings people together, much like a good paella does back home. It’s about using good ingredients and a little bit of love to create something truly special, and I’m so excited to share this little piece of Italian-American magic with you!
Gathering Your Ingredients for Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Alright, let’s get our kitchen ready for this cheesy masterpiece! You’ll need a pound of ziti pasta, and make sure to cook it until it’s just al dente, you know, still has a little bite. For our sauce, grab a pound of ground beef or Italian sausage – whatever makes your heart sing! Then, we need one big onion, chopped up real nice, and two cloves of garlic, minced super fine. For the tomatoey goodness, we’re using a big 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Don’t forget a teaspoon each of dried oregano and basil for that classic Italian flavor, plus salt and pepper to taste. For the creamy, dreamy layers, you’ll want a 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese, one large egg, and about half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese. And of course, the star of the show: two cups of shredded mozzarella! Trust me, you’ll want to grate your own mozzarella if you can; it melts so much better.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Now, about these ingredients – they’re pretty forgiving! If you can’t find ziti, don’t sweat it; penne or rigatoni work just as beautifully. For a different flavor, try a pound of mild or hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef. If you’re going meatless, sautéed mushrooms and zucchini make a fantastic, hearty addition to the tomato sauce. And speaking of tomatoes, good quality crushed tomatoes really do make a difference here. As for the cheeses, while mozzarella is key, a little sprinkle of provolone or even some dollops of cottage cheese in a pinch can work, but ricotta is truly best for that creamy texture. Oh, and shredding your own mozzarella from a block is totally worth the extra minute!
Step-by-Step Preparation of Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this baked ziti is like a little culinary adventure, and I promise it’s totally doable and oh-so-worth-it. We’ll go from raw ingredients to a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece in no time. Just follow along, and you’ll see how easy it is to create this classic comfort food.
Cooking the Pasta for Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
First things first, get that big pot of salted water boiling for your ziti. We want it perfectly al dente – that means it should still have a little firmness, a nice bite to it, not mushy at all. Cook it according to the package directions, but maybe even pull it out a minute or two early. We don’t want it falling apart when we bake it!
Crafting the Savory Meat Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, let’s make our delicious sauce. Grab a big skillet and brown your ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks. Once it’s all browned, drain off any extra grease – nobody wants a greasy ziti! Then, toss in your chopped onion and cook ‘til it’s soft and a little see-through. Add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it smells amazing. Now, pour in those crushed tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Stir in the oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it all simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors can really get to know each other. You can learn more about the benefits of herbs like oregano and basil here.
Assembling Your Baked Ziti with Mozzarella Masterpiece
Okay, time to build this beauty! Spread a thin layer of that yummy meat sauce on the bottom of your 9×13 baking dish. This stops the pasta from sticking. Then, layer half of your cooked ziti right on top. In a bowl, whisk together the ricotta, that beaten egg, and the Parmesan cheese. Spread half of this creamy ricotta mixture over the ziti. Sprinkle on half of your shredded mozzarella. Now, just do it all again: the rest of the ziti, the rest of the ricotta, and the rest of the mozzarella. Top it all off with the remaining meat sauce. It’s starting to look SO good!
Baking and Resting Your Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Now for the magic in the oven! Cover that baking dish tightly with foil. Pop it into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 20 minutes. This lets everything heat through. Then, take off the foil – this is when the cheese gets all melty and golden brown. Bake it for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and looks irresistible. The hardest part? You HAVE to let it rest for at least 10 minutes after it comes out. This lets everything settle, making it easier to serve and taste so much better!
Tips for a Perfect Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
You want that perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and saucy, right? A little trick I learned is to make sure your pasta is truly al dente – it finishes cooking in the oven, so you don’t want it mushy to start. Also, don’t skip that resting time after baking! It really helps the casserole set up so you get nice, clean slices instead of a sloppy mess. If you’re worried about it drying out, a little extra sprinkle of mozzarella on top before the final bake never hurt anyone, and covering it with foil for the initial bake keeps all that moisture locked in.
Variations on Classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas! Want to sneak in some veggies? Sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or even some chopped bell peppers can be added right into the meat sauce. For a richer flavor, try using Italian sausage instead of ground beef, or a mix of both! And don’t be afraid to play with your cheeses – a little provolone mixed with the mozzarella adds a nice tang, and a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano along with the Parmesan gives it an extra savory punch. Yum!
Serving and Storing Your Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
This baked ziti is practically a meal in itself, but it’s wonderful with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette, or maybe some crusty garlic bread for soaking up any extra sauce. If you have leftovers – lucky you! – just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 3-4 days. To reheat, a quick zap in the microwave works, or you can pop a serving back in the oven at about 350°F (175°C) until it’s warm all the way through. It tastes almost as good the second time around!
Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Got questions about this cheesy pasta bake? I totally get it! Let’s dive into some common things people ask when they’re making this classic comfort food.
Can I make Baked Ziti with Mozzarella ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is one of my favorite make-ahead meals. Just assemble the whole thing, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, you might need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time, just to make sure it heats through properly.
How do I make a vegetarian Baked Ziti with Mozzarella?
It’s super simple to make this vegetarian! Just skip the meat altogether. Instead, sauté some mushrooms, zucchini, or even some chopped bell peppers with your onions and garlic. They add a lovely texture and flavor to the sauce, making it just as satisfying!
Nutritional Estimate for Baked Ziti with Mozzarella
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info below is an estimate, okay? Since we’re all using slightly different ingredients and portion sizes, your own baked ziti might vary a bit. But generally, one serving comes in around 550 calories, with about 28g of fat, 28g of protein, and 45g of carbohydrates. It’s a hearty meal, for sure!
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Amazing Baked Ziti with Mozzarella 10/10
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic Italian-American comfort food, this Baked Ziti with Mozzarella recipe is a rich and cheesy casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy mozzarella bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large baking dish (9×13 inch), spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce.
- Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the ziti. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese. Top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms and zucchini to the sauce.
- You can prepare this casserole a day in advance and bake it when ready.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: baked ziti, mozzarella, pasta bake, Italian casserole, comfort food, cheesy pasta, ground beef recipe, family dinner, weeknight meal