# Baked Ziti

A cozy and comforting plate of cheesy pasta goodness!

- Total time: 45 min
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Dinner
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 cup onions
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 salt and pepper
- 8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 0.5 beaten egg
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 pound ziti pasta
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese

## Instructions

1. Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and mix with a little bit of oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. In a pan over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add in the onions and garlic. Cook until softened.
3. Mix in sugar, seasonings (oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper) and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes and herbs. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer sauce for 12-15 minutes. Mix in the heavy cream. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. In a bowl, add and mix together all of the ricotta mixture ingredients.
6. Mix together the ziti, ricotta mixture and 3 large spoons (about 1 cup) of the meat sauce.
7. Lightly grease a 9x9 baking pan and spoon in a thin layer of the sauce. Add half of the ziti mixture and spread out. Top with a layer of sauce and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella. Repeat layering with remaining ziti mixture, sauce and cheese.
8. Cover pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. For crisp, golden brown cheese top, broil for 3-5 minutes.
9. Sprinkle baked ziti with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

## Equipment

- large pot
- frying pan
- wooden spoon
- mixing bowl
- 9x9 baking pan
- aluminum foil

## Source

- Original video: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdLBUUo8/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/7ecfa68c-47cb-41d9-80ec-da9cd312a013
- Extracted: 2025-04-03

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt