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Classic Baked Ziti Recipe

Baked ziti is a comforting dish that hails from Italian-American cuisine, and is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week. With its layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese, it’s hard to resist this hearty meal. Here, we present a classic baked ziti recipe that is both straightforward and delicious.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 500g ziti or penne pasta
• Salt for pasta water

For the Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 500g ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
• 800g canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of sugar (optional)

For the Cheese Mixture

• 250g ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 100g grated Parmesan cheese
• 100g shredded mozzarella cheese (to be mixed with ricotta)

For Topping

• 200g shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Method

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F).

2. Prepare the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti or penne until al dente, according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.

2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7–10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

3. Add the Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if desired. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes, letting the flavours meld together.

Step 3: Combine the Cheese Mixture

1. Mix the Cheese: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella. Mix until well blended, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Layer the Ingredients: In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta, followed by half of the cheese mixture, and half of the remaining meat sauce.

2. Repeat the Layers: Add the remaining pasta, then the rest of the cheese mixture, and finally top with the remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella over the top to create a lovely cheesy crust.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake the Ziti: Cover the baking dish with aluminium foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Serve

1. Rest and Garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will make serving easier and prevent the layers from sliding around.

2. Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle some fresh basil on top if desired, and serve the baked ziti warm. It pairs wonderfully with a crisp side salad and some garlic bread for a truly comforting meal.

Conclusion

This classic baked ziti recipe is sure to become a family favourite, combining simplicity with sumptuous flavours. Perfect for gatherings or an easy weeknight dinner, it embodies the spirit of home-cooked Italian food. Enjoy!

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