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| simplyrecipes.com |
With a very rainy day predicted for today, it’s the perfect time to stay inside and enjoy a nice comfort food meal. Below is a recipe for warm, cheesy, and delicious baked Ziti. Enjoy!
Baked Ziti Simply Recipes
Cook Time: 55 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients
*If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 lb Ziti pasta (Can sub penne)
- Olive Oil
- 1 lb bulk Italian sausage, or ground beef or pork (For a healthier option, use turkey sausage)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tsp Rosemary (or basil)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 large jar of Marinara sauce (about 32 ounces)
- 1/2 pound Mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 heaping cup of Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a strong boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt for every 2 quarts of water. Add the pasta and boil, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente, edible but still a little firm. Drain the pasta and toss with a little olive oil to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into a large saute pan on medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sausage or ground meat. Do not crowd the pan (work in batches if needed). Break up any large chunks of sausage as it cooks. If you are using ground meat, add a pinch of salt.
- When the meat is mostly brown, add the chopped onions and stir well to combine. Saute everything until the onions are translucent and beginning to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary or basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook for one minute, then add the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer.
- Preheat the oven to 350. Spread a thin layer of sauce into a 13×9 dish, then dot the surface with half of the Ricotta cheese. Ladle in some sauce with the pasta, mix it well, and add some pasta into the casserole.
- Pour the rest of the sauce over the pasta, dot the remaining Ricotta cheese over the pasta, and sprinkle on both the Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven until the top is lightly browned, about 20 mins.
- Enjoy!