Baked Ziti

How to Make Baked Ziti:

this is that the easiest pasta casserole and therefore the results are so satisfying. It’s no wonder Baked Ziti is such a well-liked dish. Watch the video tutorial above and you’ll be a professional in no time.

Cook pasta in salted water until al-dente then drain.
during a dutch oven, sautee hamburger and onion until cooked through. Add garlic, salt, and pepper.
Add Marinara Sauce and simmer 5 minutes. Ladle 1/2 cup sauce into a 9×13 casserole dish.
Spoon in ricotta and basil and stir lightly. Stir in pasta, mixing just until noodles are coated.
Add half the pasta mixture to the casserole, top with half the mozzarella and parmesan then repeat.
Bake uncovered at 350˚f for 25 minutes then broil 2 minutes to brown the highest .

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti pasta or penne pasta
• 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 5 cups marinara sauce
• 15 oz fresh ricotta
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 12 oz mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese divided

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
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Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted water consistent with package instructions until just aldente them drain (so not overcook since they’re going to still cook within the oven).
2. during a deep pan or dutch oven, over medium-high heat, cook hamburger and onion, ending the meat with a spatula, until beef is fully cooked through and onions are softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and sautee another minute. Add 5 cups marinara, bring back a simmer and continue cooking 5 minutes then close up the warmth .
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4. Spread a ladle of meat sauce over rock bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
5. Into the remaining sauce, add chopped basil and spoon in ricotta. Add cooked pasta and stir just until noodles are coated (you want to stay that ricotta texture)
6. Transfer half the pasta to the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of shredded mozzarella and 1/2 grated parmesan. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
7. Clear the sides of the pan therefore the cheese doesn’t burn onto the dish. Bake at 350˚F for 25 minutes. Broil 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese. Let cool 5 minutes then garnish with basil if desired and serve.
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ENJOY !