The Ultimate Sunday Gravy Baked Ziti Cheesy Meaty Comfort

Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:30 Mins

Cooking time:75 Mins

Servings:8 generous portions

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20)
• 1/2 lb Italian Sausage, casings removed
• 28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes (San Marzano style)
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Dried Basil
• 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 cup Beef or Chicken Broth
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
• 1 lb Ziti Pasta (or Penne Rigate)
• 15 oz container Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 1 large Egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (for filling)
• 2 cups Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated (for topping)

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and sausage. Brown the meat thoroughly, breaking it up as you go, then drain off any excess fat.
• Add the diced onion to the meat and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season well with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a low simmer, cover partially, and cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• About 15 minutes before the sauce is finished simmering, cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water until it is very al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions). Drain the pasta well.
• While the pasta cooks, prepare the ricotta mix: combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, chopped parsley, 1/2 cup Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly.
• Remove the meat sauce from the heat. Stir about 1 cup of the sauce into the drained pasta to coat it lightly.
• Assemble the dish in a 9x13 inch baking dish: Spread a thin layer of plain meat sauce across the bottom.
• Spoon half of the coated pasta over the sauce layer. Dollop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
• Pour half of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer and sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella.
• Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, the remaining sauce, and the final layer of shredded mozzarella. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan evenly over the top.
• Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
• Allow the Baked Ziti to rest for 10 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the structure to set properly.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	1413 kcal
Protein	26.5 g
Fat	29.0 g
Carbs	52.0 g
Fiber	19.5 g
Sodium	747 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	Italian American

Unearthing the Soul of Italian American Comfort Food

This isn't just pasta baked in a dish; this is a hearty celebration of Italian American cooking. We’re layering perfectly cooked ziti with a slow simmered meat sauce our own rich "Sunday Gravy" plenty of creamy ricotta, and a generous blanket of bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan.

It’s gloriously indulgent, deeply flavourful, and guaranteed to cure any case of the Mondays. If you’re looking for that perfect dish for feeding a crowd, look no further than this spectacular Baked Ziti with Sausage .

It lands squarely in the category of ultimate Comfort Food Baked Pasta . This dish is designed to be hearty, satisfying, and built to last perfect for big family gatherings or cozy nights in.

Why This Baked Ziti Recipe Triumphs Over All Others

Many recipes claim to offer the best Baked Ziti Recipe No Meat or otherwise, but what sets this iteration apart is the foundation: a slow simmered sauce that develops real depth, combined with strategic layering that guarantees creamy pockets in every slice.

We are aiming for that perfect structural integrity combined with molten cheese pull, something often missed when rushing the process. This Easy Baked Ziti Recipe manages to be both simple in execution and profound in flavour, balancing the richness of the meat and cheese perfectly.

The Legend of the Sunday Gravy: More Than Just Sauce

The heart of any great Italian American casserole is the sauce what we fondly call "the gravy." For this Baked Ziti with Ground Beef , we utilize a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, browned deeply and then simmered with quality crushed tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a splash of broth.

Simmering for a minimum of 45 minutes transforms simple ingredients into a complex, savory foundation. This long, slow cook allows the fats from the meat to emufy beautifully into the tomato base, ensuring every tube of pasta is coated in glorious flavour, not just surface sauce.

Setting the Scene: Why Ziti is the Ultimate Casserole Star

The shape of the pasta matters significantly when creating a Simple Baked Ziti Casserole . Ziti, or its close cousin penne rigate, offers a hollow tube structure that acts like a tiny vessel, perfectly capturing both the rich meat sauce and the creamy cheese filling within its core.

This structural advantage is what delivers those satisfying mouthfuls where sauce, ricotta, and pasta coexist seamlessly, unlike flatter pasta shapes which tend to just form a dense crust.

A Hearty Prelude to the Perfect Bake

To ensure this experience is truly memorable, we blend the ricotta with a whole egg and Parmesan. This step is critical. The egg acts as a necessary binder, preventing the ricotta from weeping excess moisture during the bake, resulting in beautifully defined, creamy layers rather than a watery mess.

This specific ricotta preparation is key to achieving a truly luxurious Baked Ziti with Ricotta .

Assembling the Pantheon of Pasta Components

Creating this Cheesy Baked Ziti is a satisfying process of combining distinct, flavourful elements. Before we begin the layering, every component the sauce, the pasta, and the cheese filling must be ready and waiting.

Think of it like an orchestral score; each section must be prepared before the conductor brings them together for the magnificent finale. The goal is harmony: rich, sharp, and creamy notes all playing together in one glorious bake.

Sourcing Superior Ingredients for Deep Flavor

For a dish this comforting, quality ingredients are non-negotiable. While we aren't reinventing the wheel, using the best components available will elevate this from a good meal to an unforgettable one. Remember, the flavour profile relies heavily on the richness of the meat and the quality of your tomatoes.

The Essential List: From Ziti Tubes to Toppings

The foundation requires 1 lb of ziti pasta undercooked, naturally, to withstand the oven’s heat. For the meat base, a 50/50 split of 80/20 ground beef and uncased Italian sausage (either mild or hot, depending on preference) provides the best flavour complexity and texture.

For the tomatoes, I strongly advocate for San Marzano style crushed tomatoes; their natural sweetness and lower acidity shine through beautifully when simmered into our gravy. The final layer requires a generous application of low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella, which melts beautifully without releasing excessive water.

Mastering the Ricotta Layer: Creamy vs. Whipped

When preparing the Baked Ziti with Ricotta filling, texture is paramount. We mix a full 15 oz container of whole milk ricotta with one beaten egg, a healthy dose of fresh parsley for brightness, and about a half cup of grated Parmesan.

This mixture should be thoroughly combined until smooth and spoonable. Resist the urge to thin it out too much; it needs that thickness to hold its shape as it bakes around the pasta.

Tool Talk: Essential Gear for Flawless Assembly

While no specialized culinary gadgetry is required, ensure you have a heavy bottomed Dutch oven for simmering the sauce this prevents scorching and promotes even heat distribution during the long simmer.

You will also need a standard 9x13 inch baking dish; this size ensures the layers aren't stacked too high, promoting even cooking throughout the center of the Comfort Food Baked Pasta .

Related Recipes Worth Trying

• The Best Italian Sausage Baked Ziti Recipe with Ricotta — Forget fussy layering This comforting Italian Sausage Baked Ziti is packed with flavour and features a creamy ricotta centre Get the foolproof recipe
• Easy Baked Cranberry Jalapeño Dip Recipe Sweet Spicy — Ready for a truly addictive party snack This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip recipe mixes sweet fruit with fiery heat in a bubbly cream cheese base Perfect for...
• Easy Baked Potato Soup Recipe Loaded Comfort in 1 Hour — Discover the easiest baked potato soup recipe This Loaded Cheddar Potato Soup captures the smoky flavour of a jacket potato ready in just over an hour...

The Step-by-Step Blueprint for Phenomenal Baked Ziti

The process involves three main phases: developing the sauce, preparing the pasta and filling, and finally, the critical assembly. Dedication during the sauce simmering stage will pay dividends in the final flavour outcome.

Layering Mastery: Building the Perfect Casserole Structure

Layering isn't just haphazard stacking; it's strategic construction. Think of it as setting up the internal plumbing of the dish to ensure every bite is balanced. We want a buffer of sauce on the bottom to prevent the pasta from sticking and burning, followed by the creamy ricotta nestled strategically within the layers.

Achieving Al Dente Perfection in the Pasta Water

When cooking the ziti, remember this golden rule: pull it out about two minutes before you think it’s done the very very al dente stage. Since the pasta will continue to absorb moisture and cook through during the 30-minute bake time, undercooking now is the secret to avoiding mush later.

Drain it thoroughly after cooking.

Simmering Secrets: Deepening the Flavor of the Meat Sauce

Once the meat is browned and the aromatics are softened, stir in the tomato paste and cook it for a full minute; this caramelizes the sugars and removes any raw, metallic flavour. Then, introduce the crushed tomatoes, broth, and herbs. Let this low simmer roll for 45 to 60 minutes.

Stir occasionally, allowing the steam to escape partially so the sauce reduces slightly and concentrates its savouriness before mixing it with the pasta.

The Three Cheese Fusion: Melting the Mozzarella Blanket

The mozzarella forms the crucial top crust, creating that iconic bubbly, golden shield. Before baking, after the final layer of mozzarella has been applied, finish with a dusting of fresh Parmesan.

This harder cheese browns beautifully and adds a salty, nutty counterpoint to the milder mozzarella below, locking in the moisture and flavour beneath.

Baking Dynamics: Temperature and Time for Golden Results

Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). Covering the dish loosely with foil for the first 20 minutes traps the steam, ensuring the interior heats through evenly without the cheese top browning prematurely.

Removing the foil for the final 5 to 10 minutes allows that glorious, deep golden brown colour to develop on the cheese.

Elevating Your Baked Ziti Experience with Savvy Substitutions

While the classic Baked Ziti with Ground Beef configuration is a staple, adaptability is part of mastering any great recipe. Don't feel constrained by the initial ingredient list; this structure supports numerous delicious variations.

Flavor Boosters: Adding Broccoli or Chicken to Your Bake

If you wish to increase the vegetable quotient, steaming or roasting florets of broccoli until tender crisp and distributing them evenly over the ricotta layer is an excellent addition.

For a heartier, leaner meal, substitute the ground beef entirely with shredded, cooked chicken breast, mixing it into the sauce instead of browning it upfront.

Troubleshooting Common Casserole Catastrophes

The two most common pitfalls are under seasoning and mushy pasta. If your final product tastes flat, it’s likely the sauce needed more salt or acid during the simmer. If the pasta is soft, you overcooked it initially or didn’t rest the final bake long enough.

A 10-minute rest after removing it from the oven allows residual heat to complete the cooking process gently and lets the layers firm up significantly.

Planning Ahead: Storage and Reheating Strategies

One of the best attributes of any great Simple Baked Ziti Casserole is its ability to taste even better the next day. The resting period allows the sauce to fully permeate the pasta, melding the flavours beautifully.

Make Ahead Marvel: Preparing This Dish Days in Advance

This dish is a make ahead champion. You can fully assemble the entire Baked Ziti —sauce, pasta, ricotta, and cheese in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.

When ready to bake, let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes to take the chill off, then proceed with the baking instructions, adding about 10 minutes to the covered bake time since it’s starting cold.

Serving Suggestions: The Best Sides to Complement Richness

Because this is such a rich, substantial dish, it demands something light and acidic on the side. A sharp arugula salad dressed simply with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper provides the perfect palate cleanser.

Alternatively, a side of lightly sautéed bitter greens, like rapini, dressed only with garlic and a touch of vinegar, offers a traditional accompaniment that cuts beautifully through the Cheesy Baked Ziti 's decadence.