Family Favorite: Baked Ziti Recipe That’s Easy and Delicious

Photo byAngie Bright

Baked Ziti Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Food for All Occasions

Few dishes bring the same comfort and warmth to a dinner table as baked ziti. This classic, Italian-American pasta bake is rich, hearty, and cheesy, making it a go-to meal for family gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy night at home. With layers of tender pasta, flavorful meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese, baked ziti strikes the perfect balance between satisfying your hunger and warming your heart.

What makes baked ziti special is how simple yet delicious it is. It’s a dish that allows you to create something that feels special without the hassle of a complicated recipe. The ziti pasta holds up beautifully under the weight of the rich sauce and cheeses, making each bite full of flavor and texture. With its origins tracing back to traditional Italian baked pasta dishes, baked ziti has become a beloved staple in households worldwide, appreciated for its adaptability and irresistible taste.

A Dish That Brings People Together

Picture a bubbling, golden-brown tray of baked ziti coming straight out of the oven. The melted mozzarella stretching with every bite, the richness of the ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, and the creamy tang of sour cream melting into the layers—this is comfort food at its finest. Baked ziti is the kind of dish that invites everyone around the table, eager to dig in.

Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply looking for a comforting meal to share with your family, baked ziti is the answer. The best part? You can prepare it ahead of time and pop it in the oven just before dinner, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings.

Recipe: Classic Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 (26-ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until it reaches the al dente stage, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Stir in the jars of spaghetti sauce and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti. Spread the provolone cheese slices evenly over the ziti. Next, add a layer of sour cream, followed by half of the meat sauce.
5. Add the remaining ziti on top, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Pour the remaining meat sauce on top and finish the dish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese over everything.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the dish is heated through.

A Versatile Family Favorite

Baked ziti is endlessly customizable, making it easy to tweak to your preferences. You can switch out the ground beef for Italian sausage or keep it vegetarian by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms. It’s also a great dish for meal prep, as leftovers reheat wonderfully for lunches or quick dinners.

Serve it with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad to balance out the richness, and you've got a meal that's both satisfying and crowd-pleasing. With its easy preparation and comforting flavors, this baked ziti recipe is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.

For the baked ziti recipe you shared, I found several sources that offer similar delicious versions of this classic dish. One popular version includes layers of ziti pasta, a rich meat sauce made from ground beef, and a mix of cheeses such as provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The baked ziti is topped with cheese and baked until golden and bubbly, making it a favorite for family gatherings and weeknight dinners alike.

The general preparation involves boiling the pasta, browning the meat with onions, and layering everything in a baking dish. Sour cream, which adds a creamy layer, is one of the unique touches that enhances the dish’s richness. Once assembled, it's baked for about 30 minutes at 350°F until the cheeses are fully melted and the flavors meld together beautifully.

For reference, you can find similar recipes with variations on AllRecipes​

Allrecipes​Allrecipes. These sources also provide different adaptations, like vegetarian versions or swapping beef for sausage, so feel free to experiment with what works best for your preferences!