An Easy Baked Ziti Recipe for Weeknight Dinners

An Easy Baked Ziti Recipe for Weeknight Dinners https://cookingofworld.com/an-easy-baked-z... Imagine coming home after a long day, craving a comforting meal that doesn't take hours to prepare. What if I told you there's a way to make a delicious, restaurant-quality pasta dish in no time? Introducing the easy-baked ziti, a dish that combines layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese into a mouthwatering Italian-American classic. This version of baked ziti cuts down on the traditional recipe's time commitment, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. With over 20 years of cooking experience, I can assure you that this baked ziti will become a family favorite. Let's start with the ingredients you'll need: ziti pasta, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, and a blend of cheeses. For the sauce, you can use a high-quality jar of marinara or make your own from scratch with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. Cheese is a crucial component of baked ziti. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella provides that stretchy goodness, and Parmesan gives a depth of flavor. If you want to add some extra heft to your dish, consider using ground beef or Italian sausage, seasoned with basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Optional enhancements like red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or a splash of red wine can elevate your sauce to the next level. Now, let's get cooking! Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until it's just shy of al dente. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and prepare a large baking dish. In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese together. This will be the creamy layer in your baked ziti. Begin assembling the dish by layering half of the cooked pasta in the baking dish, followed by the cheese mixture and sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of sauce and cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to serve. For the best results, use high-quality ingredients like fresh mozzarella and Parmesan, and cook your pasta just until al dente. Experiment with variations by adding vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or roasted eggplant for a nutritious twist. You can also try different cheeses like Fontina, provolone, or even goat cheese to enhance the flavor profile. For a unique twist, use different sauces like Alfredo, spicy arrabbiata, or even pesto to create a new version of this classic dish. So next time you're looking for a quick and delicious dinner, try this easy-baked ziti recipe. Your taste buds will thank you! Remember, great meals don't have to be complicated. Happy cooking! SEO Purpose: ziti recipe baked ziti recipe baked ziti ziti pasta easy baked ziti easy baked ziti recipe baked ziti with ricotta ronzoni baked ziti baked ziti ingredients baked ziti with sausage ragu baked ziti simple baked ziti olive garden baked ziti ziti recipe easy baked ziti with ground beef quick baked ziti with ricotta nyt baked ziti five cheese ziti al forno olive garden new york times baked ziti simple baked ziti recipe frozen baked ziti ragu baked ziti recipe rao's baked ziti baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella long ziti pasta baked ziti with ricotta cheese best baked ziti recipe olive garden ziti gluten free ziti pasta vegetarian baked ziti ziti pasta recipe olive garden 5 cheese ziti ziti pasta box ny times baked ziti baked ziti new york times baked ziti recipe for a crowd easy ziti ragu baked ziti with meat baked ziti with meat prego baked ziti baked ziti with mozzarella cheese ragu no boil baked ziti baked ziti main ingredients rao's baked ziti recipe meatless baked ziti baked ziti pasta authentic baked ziti baked ziti recipe with ricotta baked ziti noodles baked ziti nyt baked ziti recipe with meat baked ziti recipe no meat pioneer woman baked ziti ingredients for ziti ziti casserole keto ziti noodles new york times cooking baked ziti nyt cooking baked ziti 5 cheese ziti olive garden price meatless baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella taylor street baked ziti maggiano's maggianos baked ziti whole wheat ziti 1 pound ziti 3 cheese baked ziti 3 cheese baked ziti recipe 3 cheese baked ziti with meat 3 cheese ziti 3 cheese ziti bake 3 cheese ziti olive garden 3 cheese ziti pasta 3 cheese ziti pasta recipe 3 cheese ziti recipe 3 ingredient baked ziti 4 cheese baked ziti 4 cheese baked ziti recipe 4 cheese ziti 4 cheese ziti olive garden 4 ingredient baked ziti 5 cheese baked ziti 5 cheese baked ziti olive garden 5 cheese baked ziti recipe 5 cheese olive garden 5 cheese ziti 5 cheese ziti al forno