Baked Ziti Meat Sauce Casserole (Printable version)
Hearty ziti pasta layered with beef, sausage, tomatoes, and a creamy cheese blend for classic comfort.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound ziti pasta
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 pound ground beef
06 - 14 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
07 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese Mixture
14 - 15 ounces ricotta cheese
15 - 1 large egg
16 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
→ For Assembly
18 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
04 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley, mixing until homogenous.
07 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
08 - Repeat layering with remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and continue baking for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
11 - Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Easy to prepare ahead for busy nights
- Feeds a crowd or makes plenty of leftovers
- Balanced flavors from three kinds of cheese and seasoned meat sauce
- Adaptable for your favorite protein and extra hidden veggies
02 -
- High in protein thanks to beef and cheese
- You can prep everything ahead then bake when ready
- Leftovers taste even better as flavors meld overnight
03 -
- Always salt your pasta water generously as the pasta is a main source of flavor
- Brown sausage and beef until caramelized for more depth do not rush this step
- Grate cheeses fresh for ultimate melt and avoid pre shredded blends if possible