Baked Ziti Italian Pasta Casserole (Print Version)

Layers of ziti pasta with tomato sauce, ricotta, and melted mozzarella, baked until golden and bubbly.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 lb ziti or penne pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1 tsp dried basil
09 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - 1 tsp sugar
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Mixture

12 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
13 - 1 large egg
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)

→ Assembly

16 - 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - Additional grated Parmesan, for topping

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes if using, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
05 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
06 - Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl. Pour half of the tomato sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - Spread half the coated pasta in the prepared baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of half the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently spread. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella cheese.
08 - Add the remaining pasta mixture, followed by the remaining ricotta, then the rest of the mozzarella. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top and finish with extra grated Parmesan.
09 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheeses.
10 - Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
11 - Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set. Serve hot with additional Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Effortlessly Delicious: Simple to assemble but delivers a restaurant-quality taste, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce create a universally loved dish that's ideal for family gatherings.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted with meat, extra veggies, or different cheeses to suit your taste.
02 -
  • Al Dente is Key: Cook the pasta for about 2 minutes less than the package directions. It will finish cooking in the oven and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Cover, Then Uncover: Bake covered with foil for the first 20 minutes to steam the pasta and melt the cheese evenly. Uncover for the last 10-15 minutes to get that irresistible golden-brown crust.
  • Let It Rest: Allow the baked ziti to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set, making it much easier to cut and serve neat slices.
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