Description
A classic comfort food dish featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers for days.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until just under al dente, then drain.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, half of the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce.
- Add half the ziti, then spread the ricotta mixture over it.
- Add more sauce and half the mozzarella.
- Repeat with remaining ziti, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.