Baked Ziti from Cook's Illustrated
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Baked Ziti from Cook's Illustrated, a hearty and flavor-packed dish that's perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Featuring tender ziti pasta coated in a rich, savory meat sauce made with a blend of ground beef, Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, and classic Italian herbs, this recipe is layered with creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan for an irresistible cheesy pull in every bite. The bubbly, golden-brown top is baked to perfection, making this baked ziti a crowd-pleasing masterpiece. With a quick 20-minute prep and baked to deliciousness in under an hour, this dish is an ideal go-to for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired feast!
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Ingredients
- 454 grams ziti pasta
- 454 grams ground beef
- 227 grams ground Italian sausage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 794 grams crushed tomatoes
- 425 grams tomato sauce
- 1.5 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 454 grams ricotta cheese
- 120 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 340 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5
Stir in the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Step 6
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine, then simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
Step 7
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 60 grams of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Set aside.
Step 8
Toss the cooked ziti pasta with about 3 cups of the prepared meat sauce in a large bowl until evenly coated.
Step 9
Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Dollop the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the top and gently spread it out.
Step 10
Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 30 grams of grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 11
Layer the remaining sauced pasta over the cheese layers, followed by the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Step 12
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Step 13
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
Step 14
Garnish with the remaining tablespoon of fresh parsley before serving. Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (3425.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 6164.1 |
| Total Fat 339.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 154.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 1082.3mg | 0% |
| Sodium 9764.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 453.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 40.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 57.5g | |
| Protein 356.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 6062.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 34.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 3864.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories