
Baked Ziti
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Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (you can substitute with ground turkey or sausage for variety)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until it is just shy of al dente (about 7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Mix the Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan. Mix well.
Assemble the Dish:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the tomato sauce. Then add the cheese mixture and stir until everything is well mixed.
- Transfer the ziti mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake:
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve:
- Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.