Description
A cozy, cheesy baked pasta dish that satisfies and travels well, perfect for busy nights or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 16 oz Ziti pasta (Or penne if that’s what you have.)
- 24 oz Marinara sauce (Store bought is fine.)
- 1 lb Ground meat (beef or Italian sausage) (Optional.)
- 15 oz Ricotta cheese
- 8 oz Mozzarella cheese, shredded (Shred your own for better melting.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (For a salty punch.)
- 1 Egg (Helps the ricotta layer set.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Or garlic powder in a pinch.)
- 1 medium Onion (Or onion powder in a pinch.)
- 1 tbl Olive oil
- 1 tbl Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the pasta in salted water until barely al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
- In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. If using ground meat, brown it now and drain excess grease.
- Add marinara sauce to skillet and warm up. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, add half the pasta, dollop half the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat layers and finish with extra mozzarella and parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Allowing the dish to rest is crucial to prevent a ‘lava flow’ situation. Undercook the pasta slightly to avoid mushiness. Use enough sauce to keep the dish moist during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian