Cheesy Baked Ziti Pasta (Print Format)
Baked ziti features pasta, hearty meat sauce, and creamy cheese, all baked to golden, bubbling perfection.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
500 g ziti or penne pasta
→ Meat
02 -
500 g ground beef
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 -
1 small onion, chopped
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices and Seasoning
05 -
1 teaspoon salt
06 -
½ teaspoon black pepper
07 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 -
1 teaspoon paprika
→ Sauces and Cheese
09 -
3 cups marinara or tomato sauce
10 -
1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
11 -
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 -
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Other
13 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
14 -
Chopped parsley (for garnish)
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
02 -
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 -
Heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and cook until soft.
04 -
Add minced garlic and ground beef to the pan. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned.
05 -
Stir in marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
06 -
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the prepared meat sauce and ricotta cheese.
07 -
Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish.
08 -
Top the pasta with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
09 -
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
10 -
Garnish the baked ziti with chopped parsley and let rest a few minutes before serving.
# Tips:
01 -
Letting the baked ziti rest after baking ensures the layers stay intact when serving.