Description
This mouthwatering baked ziti recipe combines tender pasta with a savory blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, and creamy cheese. Enhanced with aromatic herbs and a rich marinara sauce, this hearty dish is baked to golden perfection, making it a comforting and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz ziti pasta
Meats & Seasonings
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.75 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground Italian sausage
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
Tomato Sauce
- 32 oz marinara sauce (such as Rao’s Homemade)
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
Cheeses
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the ziti.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the ziti in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics and meat. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking apart with a spoon, and cook until fully browned and cooked through.
- Add seasonings and sauce. Stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Incorporate cream cheese. Add the softened cream cheese to the sauce mixture and stir until fully melted and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce. In a large mixing bowl or directly into the skillet off the heat, mix the cooked ziti with the meat sauce until well coated.
- Assemble the casserole. Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the ziti. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top.
- Rest and serve. Let the baked ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to set.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can be added for extra freshness.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make it spicier, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
