Cheesy, gooey, baked to perfection – Classic Ziti you NEED to try! #cheesy #cooking #delicious

Classic Baked Ziti – Cheesy, Comforting, and Irresistible!

👇Ingredients:

1 pound ziti pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt & black pepper, to taste

1 cup ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

👇Instructions:

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Make the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until fragrant. Add ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.

Combine sauce ingredients: Stir in marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Assemble the ziti: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with 1½ cups of mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Pour half of the meat sauce into a baking dish, layer pasta mixture, then top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.

👇Optional Tips:

For extra cheesy goodness, mix some mozzarella into the sauce before layering.

Swap meat for roasted vegetables to make a vegetarian version.

#EasyCooking #HomemadeKebabs #QuickMeals #Foodie #CookingShorts #UKFoodies #USFoodies