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Old-School Baked Ziti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 69 reviews

This classic old-school baked ziti recipe combines perfectly al dente pasta with a rich meat and tomato sauce, fresh spinach, and a blend of mozzarella and pecorino cheeses. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s an irresistible Italian-American comfort food perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce and Meat

  • Glug of olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped small
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juices, chopped or crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Red pepper flakes, to taste
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Cheese

  • 1 pound pasta (ziti or similar), cooked al dente and drained
  • 3/4 pound mozzarella, coarsely grated
  • 2/3 cup finely grated pecorino or parmesan cheese

Greens and Garnish

  • 1/4 pound (4 ounces) baby spinach or other greens, cut into thin ribbons
  • Dollops of ricotta cheese, for serving (optional)
  • Slivers of fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400 degrees F to prepare for baking the assembled ziti.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain to prevent mushy texture after baking.
  3. Sauté Meat and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until translucent. Add ground beef or Italian sausage, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until meat is browned and flavorful.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in crushed tomatoes, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 5 minutes. If sauce thickens too much, add reserved pasta water to loosen. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Incorporate Greens and Pasta: Add spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in drained pasta and mix for 1 minute to blend flavors and heat through.
  6. Assemble Dish: Pour half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish or ovenproof sauté pan. Sprinkle evenly with half of both mozzarella and pecorino cheeses. Add remaining pasta on top, then finish with remaining cheeses.
  7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Optional Broil: For a beautifully bronzed top, place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve: Garnish with dollops of ricotta and fresh basil slivers if desired, then serve hot.

Notes

  • Cooking pasta slightly underdone is key to avoid mushy baked ziti.
  • Use good quality canned tomatoes for a robust sauce flavor.
  • Season meat mixture generously for best taste, especially if using plain ground beef.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, or the dish can be portioned and frozen before baking.
  • Broiling at the end adds a nice golden crust but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Keywords: baked ziti, Italian pasta bake, comfort food, baked pasta, mozzarella, pecorino, ground beef, tomato sauce

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/old-school-baked-ziti-recipe/