Baked Ziti Recipe

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until very al dente. Drain.

Step 2

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute. Add meat and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes, then drain and discard fat.

Step 3

Stir in tomato paste and oregano and cook 2 minutes more, until slightly darkened. Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine sauce and pasta. Fold in ricotta, leaving large clumps. Spread about half the pasta mixture into the bottom of a 9"-x-13" baking dish. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan over the pasta. Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheeses.

Step 5

Cover with foil and bake until cheese is bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 6

Garnish with more basil before serving.