Description
Cheesy Baked Ziti is a crowd‑pleasing Italian casserole featuring al dente ziti, savory smoked beef tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This easy baked pasta dish delivers a golden, bubbly top and comforting flavor in just 30 minutes, perfect for families and gatherings.
Ingredients
-
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound smoked beef
- chopped
- 1 medium onion
- diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- minced
- 1 (28‑ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
-
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Allow the oven to fully preheat while you prepare the other components.
- Cook ziti until al dente.
Boil salted water, add ziti, cook 9‑11 minutes, drain and set aside.
- Sauté smoked beef, onion, and garlic.
Melt butter, brown smoked beef, add onion until translucent, then garlic.
- Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Simmer sauce for 10 minutes, adjusting consistency with water or grape juice if needed.
- Mix pasta with ricotta and half the mozzarella.
Combine in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Assemble the casserole.
Layer sauce, pasta mixture, remaining sauce, then top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake 25‑30 minutes.
Bake until cheese bubbles and tops golden; let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, stir in red pepper flakes or beef chorizo. The dish freezes well
- assemble up to the baking step, cover, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cheesy Baked Ziti, easy baked pasta, Italian casserole recipe, family dinner ideas, quick pasta bake, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food recipes, oven baked ziti, how to make baked ziti