by THEYUMMYBOWL
Dive into comfort with our Cheesy Baked Ziti—penne pasta layered with rich marinara, seasoned ground meat, and melty cheese. A hearty, crowd-pleasing favorite!
Cook ziti or penne pasta al dente as per package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside in a large bowl. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions for 1 minute, then add garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground meat, breaking it apart until browned. Stir in spices and cook for 2 minutes.
Add marinara sauce, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, adjusting salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
Mix half of the meat sauce with the pasta. Spread half the pasta mixture in an 8x10-inch baking dish. Top with ricotta and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Layer remaining pasta on top, followed by the rest of the meat sauce. Finish with Parmesan and the remaining mozzarella.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 more minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving. Enjoy!