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Comforting Baked Ziti Recipe Easy Gooey Cheese for Crowd

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This comforting baked ziti recipe is a crowd-pleaser featuring gooey cheese, hearty tomato sauce, and tender pasta. Perfect for last-minute gatherings or cozy family dinners, it combines simple ingredients for an addictive, easy-to-make dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) dried ziti pasta (penne works well too)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage (mild preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces (800 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (240 g) small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450 g) of ziti and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add 1 pound (450 g) of ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it up with your spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 7–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in 28 ounces (800 g) crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup (240 g) cottage cheese, 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella (1 cup/100 g). Stir until smooth and creamy. Add fresh basil if using.
  7. Add the cooked ziti to the sauce in the skillet and stir gently to coat every piece. Remove from heat.
  8. Spread half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Dollop and spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer. Top with the remaining pasta mixture, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan evenly on top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
  10. Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to let it set and make slicing easier. Serve warm.

Notes

If sauce seems watery before baking, simmer longer to thicken. Drain pasta well to avoid sogginess. For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils. Cover loosely with foil if cheese browns too fast. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheat best in the oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, cheesy pasta, crowd-pleaser, easy dinner, Italian, pasta bake, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/comforting-baked-ziti-recipe-easy-gooey-cheese-for-crowd/