Baked Ziti

Kick back and get ready to whip up some comfort food, because today we are talking about none other than Baked Ziti. This classic Italian-American pasta dish is the blast of cheesy, saucy, hearty goodness you might remember from grandma���s Sunday lunch. It’s an ‘all the tastes you love’ kind of meal, a crowd pleaser that’s perfect for dinner parties, lazy weekends or potluck events, where you can be sure no morsel will be left.

Our succulent Baked Ziti recipe includes a rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta and perfectly melted cheese on top. Mamma mia, what’s not to love? But guys, the secret’s in the baking. The flavors get time to mingle and the result is an absolutely out-of-this world dish. Trust us, it is the knee-trembling pasta bake of dreams!

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour
• Servings: 8
• Yield: 1 13×9-inch baking dish

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recipe and rustle up a delectable batch of the much-loved Baked Ziti, right in your kitchen.

Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need

• 1 lb ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

You’ll also need a large pot, a pan, and a 13×9-inch baking dish.

The marinara sauce and the cheeses are what really make this Baked Ziti special. That tangy sauce absorbs into the pasta while the melted cheeses add that perfect gooey texture. If you’re not a fan of beef, feel free to use ground turkey instead.

How To Make Baked Ziti

1. Start by boiling the pasta as per the instructions on the box.
2. In the meantime, brown your ground beef and onions in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Once the meat is thoroughly cooked and the onions are tender, drain the fat and add the spaghetti sauce into the mix. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Preheat your oven to 350��F (175��C). Now, it���s time to layer. In your baking dish, start with spreading 2 cups of the meat sauce, followed by the ziti. On top of this, spread the Provolone and sour cream. Then, sprinkle some mozzarella and repeat the layers.
5. In the end, top it off with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake it uncovered for 30 minutes until it is bubbling and the cheese on top appears golden.

Tips For The Best Results

• Allow the baked ziti to rest for about 10 minutes before serving, it lets the ingredients settle and the flavors meld together better.
• Feel free to customize your ziti; add some mushrooms or bell peppers if you’d like!

Storage Tips

• Baked Ziti can easily be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. Warm it up in the oven or microwave before consuming.
• You can also freeze it for up to 2 months in an airtight container.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this dish vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Simply opt out of the ground beef and pack it with your favorite veggies instead.

Q: Can I freeze uncooked baked ziti?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dish up to baking, then cover and freeze it for up to 2 months.

Q: Can I substitute sour cream with something else?
A: Of course, you could use full-fat Greek yogurt or even Ricotta cheese as an alternative.

Q: Do I have to use ziti pasta?
A: While ziti pasta is traditional, you can use any tubular pasta like penne or rigatoni instead.

Q: Can I use another type of cheese instead of mozzarella?
A: Sure, Cheddar cheese can be a good substitute, but mozzarella gives that wonderful stretchy melt that can’t be beaten!

Nutritional Facts of Baked Ziti

Our Baked Ziti dish contains approximately 572 calories per serving, with around 27.5g of fat, 45.2g of carbohydrates, 34.7g of protein, 72mg of cholesterol, and 1028mg of sodium. Please note that these values may vary based on the specific ingredients used.

In conclusion, our Baked Ziti recipe is truly the epitome of indulgent and hearty Italian comfort food. The divine blend of flavors and textures is a sure-fire hit at the dining table. Serve up this magnificent meal with a side of garlic bread and a fresh salad, and you’ve got yourself a feast fit for royalty! So much so, you might just do the Tarantella in delight!