Name: Classic Baked Ziti Recipe: Beef, Ricotta & Melted Cheese
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 2 h 25 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound ziti pasta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1.5 pounds lean ground beef; 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 cup beef broth; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 bay leaves; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pound low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded

Classic Baked Ziti, the very mention of it conjures images of bubbling cheese, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta straight from the oven. I’m absolutely thrilled to guide you through preparing this ultimate comfort food that has graced countless family tables and potlucks for generations. Originating from the Italian-American culinary tradition, this hearty casserole quickly became a beloved staple, offering a delectable way to feed a crowd with minimal fuss but maximum flavor.

Why We Adore This Comfort Classic

People adore this dish not only for its incredible taste – the savory blend of meat, robust marinara, and creamy ricotta, all enveloped by al dente ziti pasta – but also for its wonderful texture contrast: a crispy, golden top giving way to a soft, gooey interior. There’s something truly special about taking simple, wholesome ingredients and transforming them into such an impressive and satisfying meal. My recipe for this Classic Baked Ziti promises to deliver that authentic, heartwarming experience every single time. It’s the kind of dish that warms both the belly and the soul, making any gathering feel like a celebration.

Ingredients:

1 pound ziti pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
1.5 pounds lean ground beef or Italian sausage (or a combination of both), feel free to use your preference!
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup beef broth or red wine (optional, for deeper flavor)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1 pound (about 4 cups) low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preparing the Rich Meat Sauce

This is where the magic begins for our Classic Baked Ziti! A robust and flavorful meat sauce is the absolute foundation of this dish, so let’s take our time and build those layers of deliciousness.

First things first, grab a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven. Place it over medium-high heat and add your tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, it’s time to add your ground beef or Italian sausage. If you’re using a combination, throw them both in!
Break up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, stirring occasionally, until it’s beautifully browned all over. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Browning the meat properly is crucial as it develops a deep, savory flavor that will permeate the entire sauce. Once it’s nicely browned, carefully drain any excess fat from the pot. We want flavor, not grease!
Reduce the heat to medium. Now, add your finely chopped yellow onion to the pot with the browned meat. Sauté the onion, stirring often, until it becomes soft and translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice a wonderful aroma filling your kitchen – that’s a good sign!
Next, toss in the minced garlic and the red pepper flakes (if you’re using them for that gentle warmth). Continue to cook for just another minute, stirring constantly. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as burnt garlic can taste bitter. We just want to awaken its aromatic qualities.
Now, let’s build the tomato base. Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for about 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously. Cooking the tomato paste briefly helps to deepen its flavor and mellow out its raw acidity.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and if you’re using it for that extra depth, the beef broth or red wine. Give everything a good stir to combine all those wonderful ingredients.
Time for the herbs and seasonings! Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and the two bay leaves to the pot. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Remember, you can always add more later, but you can’t take it away!
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, or even up to 2 hours. The longer the sauce simmers, the more the flavors will meld and deepen, creating that truly authentic “Classic Baked Ziti” experience. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check on the seasoning. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of water or more broth. After simmering, remove and discard the bay leaves before proceeding.

Cooking the Ziti Pasta

While your fantastic meat sauce is simmering away, it’s the perfect time to get our ziti pasta ready. We want our pasta to be cooked just right – not too soft, not too hard, but perfectly al dente to stand up to the baking process.

Fill a large pot with plenty of water. Add a generous amount of salt to the water – this seasons the pasta from the inside out and is a secret to flavorful pasta dishes. Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil.
Once the water is vigorously boiling, add the pound of ziti pasta. Stir immediately to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
Cook the ziti according to the package directions, but aim for about 2-3 minutes less than the recommended cooking time for al dente. We want it to be firm to the bite because it will continue to cook and soften in the oven during baking. Undercooking slightly at this stage is key to ensuring your baked ziti isn’t mushy.
Once the pasta is al dente, carefully drain it using a colander. Do not rinse the pasta! Rinsing removes the starches that help the sauce adhere to the pasta, and we definitely want our delicious sauce to cling to every single noodle.
Transfer the drained pasta back to the empty pot or a very large mixing bowl. Add about 1 to 1.5 cups of your glorious meat sauce to the pasta and stir gently to coat. This step helps to infuse the pasta with flavor from the start and prevents it from sticking together.

Assembling the Cheesy Layers

Now for the truly fun part – assembling our glorious, cheesy Classic Baked Ziti! This is where all those incredible ingredients come together in a symphony of textures and flavors. We’ll be layering like true culinary architects!

First, let’s prepare our ricotta cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the entire 15 ounces of whole milk ricotta cheese. Add the large egg, the chopped fresh parsley, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly until it’s well combined and smooth. The egg acts as a binder, helping the ricotta hold its shape and preventing it from becoming too watery during baking.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. This will help prevent sticking and make serving a breeze.
Now, let’s start layering! Spread a thin layer of meat sauce (about 1 to 1.5 cups) over the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This creates a delicious base and prevents the pasta from sticking.
Next, arrange half of the sauce-coated ziti pasta over the layer of meat sauce. Spread it evenly from edge to edge.
Dollop half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta. You can use a spoon to gently spread it out, leaving small gaps, or just dot it all over. Don’t worry about perfect coverage here; it will melt beautifully.
Sprinkle about a third of the shredded mozzarella cheese (roughly 1.5 cups) evenly over the ricotta and pasta.
Add another generous layer of meat sauce (about 2 cups) over the mozzarella. Spread it out gently to cover most of the cheese.
Repeat the layers: the remaining half of the ziti pasta, followed by the rest of the ricotta cheese mixture dolloped on top, then another third of the shredded mozzarella cheese (another 1.5 cups).
For the grand finale of layers, pour the remaining meat sauce over the second layer of mozzarella, spreading it out evenly.
Finally, top the entire casserole with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese (the last 1 cup) and a generous sprinkle of the remaining grated Parmesan cheese. This top layer of cheese will become gloriously golden and bubbly in the oven.

Baking to Golden Perfection

We’re almost there! Your beautifully assembled Classic Baked Ziti is ready for its transformation in the oven. The baking process will meld all those incredible flavors and create that irresistible bubbly, cheesy crust we all adore.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to steam the pasta and cheese, ensuring everything cooks evenly and prevents the top from browning too quickly.
Place the covered baking dish into your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Be cautious of the steam that will escape!
Return the uncovered dish to the oven and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. You might even see some delicious crispy edges – that’s exactly what we’re looking for! If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can always loosely tent it with foil again for the last few minutes.

Resting and Serving Your Classic Baked Ziti

The hardest part is waiting, but I promise you, this final step is just as important as all the others for achieving perfect slices of your Classic Baked Ziti. Trust me on this one!

Once your baked ziti comes out of the oven, looking absolutely irresistible, resist the urge to dive in immediately! It is crucial to let it rest. Carefully remove the dish from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
Let the baked ziti rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauces and cheeses to set, making it much easier to cut into neat, beautiful portions. If you cut into it too soon, all those wonderful layers will simply ooze out, and while still delicious, it won’t hold its shape as well.
After resting, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Serve your magnificent Classic Baked Ziti hot, perhaps alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that amazing sauce. Prepare for rave reviews – this dish is always a crowd-pleaser and truly embodies comfort food at its finest. Enjoy every single cheesy, saucy bite!

Conclusion:

Well, we’ve journeyed through the steps, savored the aromas, and hopefully, you’re now as excited as I am about creating this incredible dish in your own kitchen. There’s something truly magical about a well-made baked pasta, and I genuinely believe this recipe delivers on all fronts. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a comfort, a culinary hug that reminds us of the joy of good food shared with loved ones. If you’ve been searching for that quintessential Italian-American comfort food that never disappoints, your search ends here. This recipe isn’t just another dish; it’s a cornerstone of hearty, delicious home cooking that you’ll return to again and again.

Why This Recipe is an Absolute Must-Try

What makes this particular rendition of baked ziti a standout? Firstly, it’s the harmonious blend of rich, slow-simmered sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and a generous blanket of molten, golden cheese. Every single bite is a symphony of flavors and textures – from the tender ziti holding pockets of savory sauce to the creamy ricotta and the stretchy, browned mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s robust without being overly heavy, incredibly satisfying, and remarkably versatile. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a blueprint for culinary success, designed to be approachable for even novice cooks while still impressing the most seasoned palates. The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to adapt, yet retain its comforting essence. Whether it’s a bustling family dinner on a chilly evening, a potluck where you want to bring something truly memorable, or simply a treat for yourself after a long week, this Classic Baked Ziti delivers consistent deliciousness. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest, most traditional recipes are indeed the very best. It evokes feelings of nostalgia, reminiscent of classic Italian Sunday dinners, and yet feels completely fresh and exciting every time you pull it from the oven.

Elevate Your Dining Experience: Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations

Now that you’re ready to dive in, let’s talk about how to make your Classic Baked Ziti even more spectacular, or how to put your own unique spin on it. For serving, I highly recommend pairing this rich dish with something fresh to cut through the richness. A crisp, green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a winner. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and perhaps some thinly sliced red onion. A basket of warm, crusty garlic bread or a simple focaccia is also practically mandatory for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. As for beverages, a robust red wine like a Chianti or Montepulciano complements the flavors beautifully, or for a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water with a lemon wedge is wonderfully refreshing. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to introduce some variations, the possibilities are endless! For a meatier dish, consider adding cooked crumbled Italian sausage, ground beef, or a mix of both to your sauce. Vegetarian? Load up on finely diced vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms, sautéing them before adding to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients. You could also experiment with different cheese blends – a smoked mozzarella would add a lovely depth, or a touch of provolone for a sharper tang. For those with dietary considerations, gluten-free ziti pasta works wonderfully, and for a lighter touch, you could even incorporate some fresh spinach or kale into the layers. This dish is also fantastic for meal prep; assemble it a day in advance, cover tightly, and bake when you’re ready. Leftovers, should you be so lucky, are equally delicious, often even better the next day as the flavors meld further. Just reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

Your Turn!

I’ve shared my secrets, tips, and enthusiasm for this incredible Classic Baked Ziti, and now it’s your moment to shine in the kitchen. Don’t be shy; gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and immerse yourself in the comforting process of creating something truly special. I promise you, the aroma alone is worth the effort, and the taste? Pure bliss. Once you’ve pulled your golden, bubbling masterpiece from the oven and experienced its deliciousness, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Please, come back and share your experience in the comments below. Did you try a variation? What was your favorite part? Did your family rave about it? Your feedback and shared culinary adventures truly inspire me, and help others on their cooking journey too. So, go forth, bake, enjoy, and let’s keep the love for amazing home-cooked meals alive and well!