Baked Ziti
Prep 30m | Total 1h 30m | Serves 8+
Pasta bake is classic family dish that is especially good for busy weeknights. Make the sauce on you prep day, boil the pasta when you get a free moment that day and assemble half an hour before serving!
This is my nutrient dense take on this dish and I recommend serving with a crisp green salad. Don’f for get t save some leftovers for lunch boxes…. yum!
Baked Ziti
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- 250g beef mince & 250g pork mince (or sub for all beef)
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 TB tomato paste
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup beef broth/stock
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 350g penne pasta (gluten-free option available)
- 225g fresh mozzarella cheese
- 400g ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnishing)
Make:
- Add the olive oil to a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions. Sauté for 5 minutes, until beginning to brown, then add the meat. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as you sauté.
- Once the meat is cooked through, add the garlic. Sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste, followed by the broth/stock and canned tomatoes.
- Finally, add the chopped fresh herbs, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Bring the ingredients to a lively simmer, then cover with a lid. Simmer for 20-25 minutes to allow the ingredients to marry and flavors to intensify.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the directions. Drain and set aside. Drizzle and then toss pasta with a bit of olive oil to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other while waiting to assemble the ziti.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Spread a layer of the sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish. Spread half the ricotta cheese on top of the sauce, in dollops. Add the pasta, then add all the remaining sauce.
- Add dollops of the remaining ricotta cheese over the top of the sauce, followed by the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Bake the ziti, uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce bubbles on the sides and the cheese melts. Turn off the oven and turn on the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the top is lightly browned.
Recipe Notes:
- This can be made in advance. Refrigerate, then place in the oven covered until piping hot.
- The leftovers are perfect for school lunches.
