The Best and Easiest Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
5. Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. In a large bowl, combine pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella.
7. Pour into baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
8. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.
9. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Chef’s Note: For extra flavor, use a mix of ground beef and spicy sausage, and add a pinch of fennel seed to the sauce.