Can I use different pasta shapes?

Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, or even shells work wonderfully. Just choose something with ridges or tubes that'll hold onto that delicious sauce.

What if I don't have ricotta?

You can substitute with cottage cheese, though the texture will be slightly different. Some families actually prefer it this way!

How do I know when it's done?

Look for bubbling around the edges and a golden top. The internal temperature should reach 165°F if you want to be precise.

Can I make individual portions?

Yes! Use ramekins or small baking dishes and reduce the cooking time to about 15 minutes.

Ultimate Baked Ziti Recipe

Name: Ultimate Baked Ziti Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. olive oil; 1 whole large onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb. Italian sausage; 1 lb. ground beef; 1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes, with juice; 2 (14.5-oz.) cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce; 2 tsp. Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes; Kosher salt, to taste; Ground black pepper, to taste; 16 oz. ziti or mostaccioli, cooked until not quite al dente; 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese; 1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated and divided; 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese; 1 egg; Freshly chopped parsley

Description

A classic baked ziti loaded with Italian sausage, beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce, baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 whole large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 lb. ground beef
1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes, with juice
2 (14.5-oz.) cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
16 oz. ziti or mostaccioli, cooked until not quite al dente
15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese
1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated and divided
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
Freshly chopped parsley

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Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for several minutes, or until starting to soften. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture.
Add the tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. After that time, remove 3 to 4 cups of the sauce to a bowl to cool down.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
To a separate bowl, add the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of grated mozzarella, parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour the cooked pasta into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled meat sauce and toss to combine.
Add half of the coated pasta to a large casserole dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta, sauce, and mozzarella. Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the pasta before serving!

Notes

Let the baked ziti rest before serving for clean slices and enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 667
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 1164mg
Fat: 39g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 36g