Baked Ziti with Ricotta

How to Make Baked Ziti with Ricotta

1. 1

   Step 1: Preheat oven and cook the pasta

   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, add the kosher salt, and cook the ziti until just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain the pasta and set aside; toss with a drizzle of olive oil if desired to prevent sticking.

   For this step

   • 1 tbspkosher salt
2. 2

   Step 2: Make the meat sauce

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook, breaking up meat, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed, stir in the marinara sauce, reduce heat, and simmer 8–10 minutes to blend flavors; season to taste with salt and pepper.

   For this step

   • 2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
   • 1 mediumyellow onion, finely chopped
   • 3 clovesgarlic, minced
   • 1 lblean ground beef (80/20) or Italian sausage, casings removed
   • 4 cupsmarinara sauce
   
3. 3

   Step 3: Mix cheeses and combine with pasta

   In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, half the shredded mozzarella, and half the grated Parmesan until smooth; add a pinch of salt and pepper if desired. Pour the drained ziti into the skillet with the meat sauce (or a large mixing bowl) and fold in the ricotta mixture until evenly coated.

   For this step

   • 15 ozwhole-milk ricotta cheese
   • 2 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
   • 1/2 cupgrated Parmesan cheese
   
4. 4

   Step 4: Assemble in a baking dish

   Spread half of the sauced pasta into a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, sprinkle a little mozzarella and Parmesan, then add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Smooth into an even layer so cheese melts evenly.
   
5. 5

   Step 5: Bake and rest

   Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top begins to brown, about 20–25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so slices hold together; garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
   

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, add the kosher salt, and cook the ziti until just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain the pasta and set aside; toss with a drizzle of olive oil if desired to prevent sticking.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the ground beef (or sausage) and cook, breaking up meat, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed, stir in the marinara sauce, reduce heat, and simmer 8–10 minutes to blend flavors; season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, half the shredded mozzarella, and half the grated Parmesan until smooth; add a pinch of salt and pepper if desired. Pour the drained ziti into the skillet with the meat sauce (or a large mixing bowl) and fold in the ricotta mixture until evenly coated.
4. Spread half of the sauced pasta into a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, sprinkle a little mozzarella and Parmesan, then add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Smooth into an even layer so cheese melts evenly.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top begins to brown, about 20–25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 5–10 minutes before serving so slices hold together; garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.