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Dive into a plate of ultimate comfort with Baked Ziti! It's like lasagna's laid-back cousin—equally cheesy and satisfying but with a relaxed, no-fuss vibe. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this dish is chock-full of hearty pasta, rich marinara, and gooey cheese all baked to melty perfection. Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a Sunday family feast, Baked Ziti is the kind of meal that'll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the marinara sauce, and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with half of the marinara sauce mixture, all of the ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Spread a thin layer of the reserved meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with the pasta mixture, squishing in to fit evenly.
Pour the remaining meat sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked ziti cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Dig in and enjoy!
