Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes, then drain.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Cook the Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet and brown it thoroughly. Drain any excess fat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix Ricotta Layer: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and beaten egg.
- Assemble the Ziti: In your baking dish, layer half the cooked ziti, followed by half the meat sauce, half the ricotta mixture, and half of both cheeses. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving to help it set.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes