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Baked Ziti Casserole Recipe: Easy Cheesy Layers for a Crowd

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This baked ziti casserole is a hearty, cheesy, and comforting Italian-American classic, perfect for feeding a crowd at gatherings or busy weeknights. Layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella make every bite irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or turkey/plant-based crumbles for vegetarian)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or basil)
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for extra creamy ricotta)
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, sliced mushrooms, spinach, gluten-free ziti, dairy-free cheeses

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until just al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Brown for 5–7 minutes until no pink remains.
  4. Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, heavy cream (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until creamy.
  7. Layer half the cooked ziti in the bottom of the prepared dish. Top with half the meat sauce, then half the ricotta mixture, spreading gently. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and half the parmesan.
  8. Repeat layers with remaining pasta, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.
  9. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For crispy edges, broil for 2 minutes at the end.
  10. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Don’t overcook the pasta; it will continue to soften in the oven. Taste and adjust the sauce before layering. Shred mozzarella from a block for best melt. Let casserole rest before serving for cleaner slices. For vegetarian, skip the meat and add extra veggies. Can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, casserole, pasta bake, cheesy, Italian, comfort food, crowd, easy, potluck, family dinner

Find it online: https://avabake.com/baked-ziti-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-layers-for-a-crowd/