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Baked Ziti Half Pan Recipe Easy Comfort Food Classic for Parties

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A classic baked ziti recipe featuring layers of creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and savory tomato sauce, perfect for parties and family gatherings. This half pan size dish is easy to prepare and delivers comforting, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) dried ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage, browned and drained (turkey sausage for lighter version)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups (950 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ cups (360 g) ricotta cheese
  • 3 cups (340 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450 g) of ziti pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes, until just shy of al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it up and cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Add dried Italian seasoning, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella (1 ½ cups) and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well to coat evenly.
  9. Spread half of the sauced pasta into the baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta. Layer the remaining pasta on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  11. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  12. Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta just shy of al dente to avoid mushiness. Cover with foil during baking to retain moisture and remove foil near the end to brown cheese. If sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash of pasta water. Let dish rest before serving for better texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, pasta bake, party recipe, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/baked-ziti-half-pan-recipe-easy-comfort-food-classic-for-parties/