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A steaming dish of baked ziti dinner, perfect for busy nights

Speedy Weeknight Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

This Speedy Weeknight Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is a comforting and easy dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Al dente pasta layers with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella create a satisfying baked pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet or Dutch oven
  • medium bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 pound ziti or penne pasta

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey (or plant-based crumble)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 ounce jar marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup water or broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • large egg optional

Topping

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • extra Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook ziti or penne pasta to al dente according to package directions, then drain.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground meat, drain excess fat, then add onion and cook until softened.
  • Stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in marinara sauce, add water or broth if needed, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and the optional egg; mix until smooth.

Layering and Baking

  • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread 1/2 cup of meat sauce on the bottom.
  • Layer half of the cooked pasta, dollop with ricotta mixture, top with half of the mozzarella, and spoon half of the remaining meat sauce.
  • Repeat layers with the remaining pasta and then the rest of the meat sauce.
  • Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Cover loosely with foil (sprayed underside) and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, consider using a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage. You can also customize the spices in the meat sauce to your liking. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.