Joanna Gaines Baked Ziti Recipe
If you love comforting pasta dishes, this Joanna Gaines Baked Ziti Recipe is perfect for you. It is cheesy, saucy and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with olive oil or butter.
Cook Pasta
- Boil ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook Meat
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage, cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon.
Sauté Onion and Garlic
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add Tomatoes and Seasoning
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and black pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes to develop flavors.
Mix Pasta and Sauce
- Combine cooked ziti with meat sauce in a large bowl. Stir until pasta is fully coated.
Layer Cheese
- In the baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese on top. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Add Remaining Pasta
- Top with remaining pasta mixture. Spread remaining ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake Ziti
- Bake in preheated oven for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly and golden brown on top.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm as a hearty main course.
Notes
- Use Italian sausage for extra flavor instead of ground beef
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added veggies
- Use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for richer cheese flavor
- Make ahead by assembling casserole and refrigerating before baking
- Top with extra Parmesan and breadcrumbs for a crunchy crust
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick