Baked ziti is a crowd-pleasing Italian-American pasta dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for serving at family gatherings or casual dinners. It's a comforting, hearty meal made with pasta, sauce, and cheese. Here's an easy and delicious baked ziti recipe to try at home.
Ingredients
To make this baked ziti recipe, you'll need:
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
2 jars of tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package's instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage (if using) to the skillet and cook until browned.
4. Add the tomato sauce to the skillet and stir well. Add salt, pepper, and chopped basil to the sauce, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Grease a baking dish with some olive oil. Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into the baking dish and spread it evenly.
7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
8. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Baked ziti is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Serve it with garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. You can also add some red pepper flakes to the dish for some extra heat.
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