Introduction

Baked Ziti is the ultimate Italian-American “hug in a pan,” providing a soul-warming meal that transforms a standard weeknight into a family celebration. This recipe is a cornerstone of ComfortCooking.net, meticulously crafted to ensure every forkful is loaded with rich meat sauce and a velvety blend of cheeses.

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Time & Servings

• Prep Time: 20 minutes.
• Cook Time: 45 minutes.
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes.
• Number of Servings: 8 servings.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb Ziti pasta (or Lasagna noodles for the layered option).
• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage or lean ground beef.
• 48 oz Marinara sauce (two 24-oz jars).
• 15 oz Whole milk Ricotta cheese.
• 3 cups Shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided.
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese.
• 1 Large egg, lightly beaten.
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped.
• 1 tsp Dried oregano and 1 tsp garlic powder.
• Salt and black pepper to taste.

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Directions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a deep 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Boil the Pasta: Cook the ziti in a large pot of heavily salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions. It is vital to keep the pasta al dente at this stage so it can finish cooking in the sauce without becoming mushy.
3. Develop the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage or beef until no pink remains. Drain the excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, and garlic powder; let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Create the Cheese Blend: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, the beaten egg, the Parmesan, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and the fresh parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. Layer the Dish: * Spread 1 cup of meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
   • Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce.
   • Dollop the entire ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread it gently.
   • Add the remaining ziti and pour the rest of the meat sauce evenly over the top.
6. The Cheese Crust: Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of mozzarella cheese over the top layer.
7. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cheese has formed a perfect, golden-brown crust.

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Chef’s Tip

To ensure you don’t lose that glorious golden crust when you uncover the dish, lightly spray the underside of your aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray before placing it over the cheese. This prevents the melted mozzarella from sticking to the foil as the casserole expands in the oven.