Baked Ziti with Ricotta

[Tim_05]

Hey everyone, I want to share with y'all a dish that never fails to bring comfort and warmth to my table. Picture al dente ziti pasta smothered in a rich tomato sauce, layered with creamy ricotta cheese, and topped with gooey melted mozzarella – it's pure heaven in every bite! Trust me, this recipe is a real crowd-pleaser that'll have everyone coming back for seconds!

INGREDIENTS​

Sauce:​

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (24-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Ricotta Filling:​

• 24 ounces ricotta
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Pasta:​

• 12 ounces ziti pasta uncooked

Topping:​

• 2 cups mozzarella shredded

INSTRUCTIONS​

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177ºC).
• Make Sauce: Heat olive oil (2 tablespoons), over medium-high heat, in a large, high-sided skillet. Add onion (1 cup)and saute until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Moderate heat so as not to brown onion. Turn heat to medium-low, add minced garlic (1 tablespoon), and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• Add beef (2 pounds), salt (1 1/2 teaspoons), and black pepper (1 teaspoon) to skillet and cook, over medium heat, until no longer pink; drain as needed. Stir in spaghetti sauce (2 jars) and add Italian seasoning (3 teaspoons).
• Make Ricotta Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese (24 ounces), eggs (2), nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon), Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon), mozzarella cheese (1 cup), and Parmesan (1 cup).
• Pasta: Cook pasta (12 ounces) according to package directions. Drain well.
• Assembly:Add 1/2 cup of sauce to the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish and swirl to cover the bottom. Spread 1/2 of cooked pasta in the baking dish, then spoon a 1/2 of the meat sauce, then dollop 1/2 ricotta mixture-spreading it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat with remaining layers, ending with ricotta mixture.
• Place on a rimmed cookie sheet.
• Cover and bake for about 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

 

[Clint08]

Wow! Sounds like the ultimate comfort food that's bound to bring smiles to everyone at the table. Thanks for sharing this crowd-pleasing recipe – I can't wait to try it out and have everyone asking for seconds!

 

[lizasoberan]

Wow! Sounds like the ultimate comfort food that's bound to bring smiles to everyone at the table. Thanks for sharing this crowd-pleasing recipe – I can't wait to try it out and have everyone asking for seconds!

Personally, I'm a big fan of baked ziti with ricotta! Though I often mix in some Italian sausage for extra flavor and heartiness.

 

[wolfgang]

Your recipe for Baked Ziti with Ricotta sounds absolutely mouthwatering! I can already imagine the creamy ricotta perfectly complementing the rich tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese. Can't wait to give it a try and add a comforting twist to my dinner rotation. Thanks for sharing your delicious recipe!