Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

Make room for a pasta bake with three cheeses and a hearty tomato sauce. Ziti or penne works well here, and a short rest after baking makes the casserole easier to serve.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti or penne

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 3–4 garlic cloves, chopped

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or basil

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 4 cups marinara sauce

• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella

• 1 cup grated Parmesan or pecorino

• 1 heaping cup ricotta

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until it is still slightly firm, then drain.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and break it apart as it browns. Season with salt if using unseasoned ground meat.

3. Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic, fresh herbs, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.

4. Pour in the marinara and bring to a gentle simmer. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

5. Coat the base of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a little sauce. Add spoonfuls of half the ricotta. Mix a spoonful of sauce into the drained pasta, then transfer the pasta to the dish.

6. Distribute the remaining sauce and ricotta over the pasta. Cover with the mozzarella and grated Parmesan or pecorino.

7. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the top starts to brown. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe source: Simply Recipes.