Baked Ziti

This baked ziti is pure comfort food, but with a few extra touches to make it even better. A rich homemade marinara infused with garlic, Calabrian chili, and fresh basil coats tender ziti, while a flavorful beef mixture adds depth. The creamy ricotta filling, seasoned with Parmesan, nutmeg, and lemon melts into every bite. Topped with plenty of mozzarella and finished under the broiler for that golden, bubbly crust—this is baked ziti at its absolute best. Cozy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep for the week!

For the Marinara:

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 6-8 garlic cloves, sliced

• 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste

• Handful of fresh basil

• 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano whole tomatoes, crushed by hand

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb ziti pasta, cooked to al dente

For the Meat Mixture:

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 1 medium onion, diced

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 - 2 tbsp Dan-O's Italian-O's

• 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste

• 1 lb ground beef

• 3 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ cup dry white wine (optional)

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese

• 4 oz (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

• 1 tsp Dan-O's Italian-O's

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Pinch of nutmeg

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 large egg

For Assembly:

• 6 oz (1.5 cups) Mozzarella cheese

• 4 oz - 6 oz (1 - 1.5 cups) parmesan cheese 

1. Heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic, Calabrian chili, and a handful of basil. Sizzle gently, being careful not to burn the garlic.

2. Pour in crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat. 

3. Cook ziti to al dente, drain, and set aside.

4. In a large pan, heat a touch of olive oil and sauté diced onion with salt, pepper, 1 tbsp Dan-O's Italian Seasoning, and Calabrian chili.

5. Clear a space in the center of the pan, add another touch of oil, and add ground beef.

6. Season with salt and pepper; let sit undisturbed to develop a crust.

7. Flip the beef, break it up with a wooden spoon, and cook through.

8. Clear another center in the pot and add in the tomato paste. Let sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes, then stir with the rest. 

9. Deglaze the pan with white wine, stir, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

10. Remove basil from the marinara and add the meat mixture directly into the sauce. Season with another tbsp of Dan-O’s Italian Seasoning, or to taste.

11. In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ - 1 cup Parmesan, 1 tsp Dan-O's Italian Seasoning, salt, pepper, nutmeg, fresh parsley, and an egg. Stir to combine.

12. Add a couple of spoonfuls of the meat mixture to the ricotta filling and stir. Pour in the cooked pasta and stir to combine.

13. In a baking dish, add a thin layer of the meat mixture to the bottom of the dish. Top with half of the pasta mixture, then add mozzarella and Parmesan.

14. Add the remaining sauce, followed by the remaining pasta mixture, and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

15. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, then finish under the broiler until golden and bubbly.

16. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Prep Time: 20-25 minutes

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Serving Size: 6-8 servings