Craving a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece that's surprisingly simple to make?
Get ready to unlock the secrets to baked ziti perfection, where perfectly cooked pasta meets rich, flavorful sauce.
We'll guide you through each step, ensuring your weeknight dinner becomes an unforgettable comfort food experience.
Preparing Baked Ziti
First, you're gonna kick things off by cookin' 300g (that's about 10oz!) of ziti or penne pasta – but here's the trick: only cook it for 2 minutes less than what the package says; trust me, it'll finish up perfectly in the oven! To streamline the dish, you can bake everything in one pot, just like in a creamy macaroni and cheese recipe.
Next, while the pasta's doin' its thing, grab yourself about a tablespoon of olive oil. Now, you don't wanna skimp here, that's the secret. This'll help keep everything from stickin', and it adds a nice flavor.
Also, think about gettin' all your cheese ready. I'm talkin' mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan – all the good stuff. This isn't a diet kinda recipe, it's more of a "treat yourself" kinda thing; a tasty extravagance.
Before you know it, you're halfway to baked ziti perfection! Prepping all these bits ahead of time makes the rest of the process seriously easy!
Cooking Instructions
Now we are ready for the cooking instructions! Start by cooking your ziti, but don't cook it all the way—subtract 2 minutes from what the package says. Drain it and set it aside; almost there! This recipe offers a comforting and satisfying meal.
Next, preheat your oven to 350°F. While it heats up, let's make the sauce. Heat some olive oil in a big skillet and toss in your minced garlic and chopped onion! Cook until that onion is translucent.
Add your choice of ground meat—beef, pork, or a mix. Break it up and cook it, then add your seasonings! Now, stir in your tomato passata, water, basil, oregano, and sugar. Simmer it for 10 minutes, and don't forget to taste and adjust the seasoning—we want it perfect!
Toss the ziti with some of the sauce and then layer everything in your baking dish! Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta over the pasta, then pour the rest of the amazing sauce over the top. Don't be shy with the cheese!
Tips for Perfecting Your Ziti
I've got a secret – perfecting your baked ziti is totally doable, and I'm gonna let you in on some tricks that'll have everyone begging for seconds!
First, don't overcook the pasta; al dente is the way—trust me! Cook it 2 minutes less than the package says. Nobody likes mushy ziti; it can become soup!
Next, don't skimp on the sauce. I make a big, rich, flavorful sauce by using tomato passata—it makes a difference, giving it extra flavor. Feel free to sub the sauce, but that passata adds a layer you can't replace.
Don't be afraid of cheese. I use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan. It creates the perfect cheesy canopy. Wanna get extra fancy? Dollop some ricotta onto the dish – it creates pockets of creamy goodness. Baking your Ziti is the best part!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti according to package directions. Drain.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain excess grease. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a large baking dish, layer half of the ziti, half of the meat sauce, and half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 450
Protein: 30g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 40g