Description
Ina Garten Baked Ziti is a traditional Italian-American pasta dish featuring ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella, all baked to perfection. It’s a comforting casserole that combines robust flavors and a delightful texture, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine Ingredients: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well.
- Simmer Sauce: Return cooked sausage to the skillet and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes.
- Mix Pasta and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Add the pasta mixture, then top with the remaining meat sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired, and serve hot.