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A delicious plate of best ever baked ziti with melted cheese and marinara sauce

Best Ever Baked Ziti

A hearty and comforting baked ziti dish featuring layers of pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, and savory meat sauce, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat and Sauce
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • Fresh basil Fresh basil (to taste)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage for about 5-7 minutes, and drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce with the meat mixture and let simmer for about 5 minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Assembly and Baking
  1. In a baking dish, layer half of the meat sauce on the bottom.
  2. Follow with half of the pasta mixture.
  3. Repeat the layers for a beautiful presentation.
  4. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  5. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  6. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.