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Homemade Cheesy Oven Baked Ziti

Homemade Cheesy Oven Baked Ziti

Homemade Cheesy Oven Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, a classic Italian-American dish that's both incredibly easy to make and wonderfully satisfying. This recipe is your go-to for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or entertaining.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional, for a meatier version)
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese plus more for topping

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions, ensuring it's al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Drain the pasta and set aside.
    1 pound ziti pasta
  2. If using ground beef or Italian sausage, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. If you skipped the meat step, simply combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings in a saucepan and simmer.
    1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well combined and creamy.
    15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  5. Spoon about half of the meat sauce (or tomato sauce if not using meat) into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce. Evenly spread the ricotta cheese mixture over the ziti. Top with the remaining ziti. Pour the remaining meat sauce (or tomato sauce) evenly over the top layer of pasta.
    1 pound ziti pasta
  6. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the ziti. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
    1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  8. Let the Homemade Cheesy Oven Baked Ziti rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to cut and serve.

Notes

Leftover Homemade Cheesy Oven Baked Ziti can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, oven reheating is preferred. Place a portion in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes to crisp up the top cheese.