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Amazing Baked Ziti That Feeds a Crowd: 10 Wins

Baked Ziti That Feeds a Crowd
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Bake a large batch of delicious, cheesy Baked Ziti, perfect for feeding a crowd at your next gathering or potluck. This recipe offers comforting layers and simple assembly for a guaranteed favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  3. If using meat, brown the ground beef or sausage in a large pot. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute more.
  5. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. While the sauce simmers, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
  7. In the large pot with the sauce, add the drained pasta. Stir gently to coat the ziti evenly.
  8. Spread half of the sauced pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
  10. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  11. Top with the remaining sauced pasta mixture.
  12. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
  13. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned.
  14. Let the ziti rest for 10 minutes before sprinkling with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
  • If you prefer a meatless version, you can skip the meat entirely and add sauteed mushrooms to the sauce.
  • You can assemble this dish ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/baked-ziti-that-feeds-a-crowd-recipe/