RavEnzo
Novice Foodie
Here's a wholesome and delicious recipe I do for a family dinner. It's comforting and perfect for sharing: Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread and a Simple Green Salad. It’s hearty, easy to prepare, and great for feeding a crowd!
Ingredients:
For the Baked Ziti:
1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or use plant-based meat for a vegetarian option)
1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Bread:
1 baguette or loaf of Italian bread
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
For the Green Salad:
Mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.)
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Sliced cucumber
Sliced red onion
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper (for dressing)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Baked Ziti:
a. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
b. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
c. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
d. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper. Mix well.
e. In a large baking dish, layer half the cooked pasta, half the sauce, and half the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top.
f. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
2. Prepare the Garlic Bread:
a. Slice the baguette in half lengthwise.
b. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic and parsley. Spread the mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
c. Place the bread on a baking sheet, buttered side up, and bake in the oven alongside the ziti for the last 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
3. Make the Salad:
a. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion.
b. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
a. Remove the baked ziti and garlic bread from the oven. Let the ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving.
b. Slice the garlic bread into pieces, serve alongside the ziti, and add a scoop of the fresh salad on each plate.
Optional Additions:
For Extra Veggies: Add sautéed zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to the sauce for more nutrients.
For Dessert: Finish the meal with a simple dessert like brownies, fruit salad, or ice cream.
Conclusion: This dinner is warm, satisfying, and ideal for family gatherings. It’s simple to make but feels special enough for a family night!
Ingredients:
For the Baked Ziti:
1 lb (450 g) ziti or penne pasta
1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or use plant-based meat for a vegetarian option)
1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Bread:
1 baguette or loaf of Italian bread
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
For the Green Salad:
Mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.)
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Sliced cucumber
Sliced red onion
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper (for dressing)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Baked Ziti:
a. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
b. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
c. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
d. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper. Mix well.
e. In a large baking dish, layer half the cooked pasta, half the sauce, and half the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top.
f. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
2. Prepare the Garlic Bread:
a. Slice the baguette in half lengthwise.
b. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic and parsley. Spread the mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
c. Place the bread on a baking sheet, buttered side up, and bake in the oven alongside the ziti for the last 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
3. Make the Salad:
a. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion.
b. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
a. Remove the baked ziti and garlic bread from the oven. Let the ziti cool for 5 minutes before serving.
b. Slice the garlic bread into pieces, serve alongside the ziti, and add a scoop of the fresh salad on each plate.
Optional Additions:
For Extra Veggies: Add sautéed zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to the sauce for more nutrients.
For Dessert: Finish the meal with a simple dessert like brownies, fruit salad, or ice cream.
Conclusion: This dinner is warm, satisfying, and ideal for family gatherings. It’s simple to make but feels special enough for a family night!
The garlic bread looks so crispy and flavorful! Definitely adding this to my dinner plans – yum! 
