Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 25–30 mins | Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- The Pasta: 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne).
- The Hearty Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb Italian sausage or lean ground beef.
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce.
- 1 small onion, diced.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- The Creamy Layers:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese.
- 1 large egg (to bind the ricotta).
- The Cheese Topping:
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley or basil.
Instructions
- Boil: Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until slightly firm (al dente). Drain and set aside.
- Sauté: In a large skillet, brown the meat with diced onions until fully cooked. Drain the excess fat, then stir in the garlic and marinara sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Mix the Ricotta: In a small bowl, whisk the ricotta cheese with the egg and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Combine: Toss the cooked ziti with the meat sauce. Gently fold in large dollops of the ricotta mixture so you have creamy pockets throughout the pasta.
- Layer: Pour the mixture into a large baking dish.
- Top with Cheese: Cover the pasta generously with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20–30 minutes. The dish is perfect when the cheese is melted and develops deep, golden-brown toasted spots.
- Finish: Garnish with fresh parsley before serving family-style.