Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish that combines the best elements of lasagna and baked ziti. The dish features layers of tender ziti noodles, a rich and savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, all baked together until golden and bubbly.
How To Make:
To make Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti, first, you'll need to cook your ziti noodles according to the package instructions. While the noodles are cooking, you'll prepare a meat sauce made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and canned tomatoes. Once the meat sauce is ready, you'll layer the ziti noodles with the sauce and a mixture of ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and eggs.
Once the dish is fully assembled, it's baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the noodles are tender. The result is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that's perfect for feeding a crowd or for enjoying as leftovers throughout the week.
Here are some tips and variations to make your Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti even more delicious:
Tips:
To save time, you can use store-bought marinara sauce instead of making your own meat sauce.
For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use a mixture of sautéed vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers, in the sauce instead.
Make sure to generously salt the water when cooking the pasta to add flavor to the dish.
Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set and make it easier to cut.
Variations:
Add some chopped spinach or kale to the ricotta cheese mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
Use a different type of cheese, such as mozzarella or fontina, instead of parmesan in the ricotta mixture, or sprinkle over the top before baking.
Experiment with different types of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni, instead of ziti for a fun twist on the dish.
Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage for added flavor and depth in the meat sauce.
Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a spicy kick.
Layer sliced fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers between the pasta and cheese layers for added color and flavor.
Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, to the cheese mixture or sprinkle over the top before baking for added freshness and aroma.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Cook the ziti noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, toast a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a rustic ladle as it culinarians.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes until it has thickened slightly.
In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and eggs.
To assemble the dish, spoon a thin layer of the meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with a layer of cooked ziti noodles, followed by a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
Sprinkle the tattered mozzarella rubbish over the top of the dish. Cover the baking dish with antipode and singe for 25 twinkles. also, remove the antipode and singe for a fresh 25 twinkles or until the rubbish is melted and bubbly and the polls are tender.
Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set. Serve hot and enjoy!