Baked Ziti Recipe: Easy and Delicious Pasta Dish!

Introduction

The video presents a mouthwatering recipe for baked ziti, a classic Italian-American comfort food. The dish features a hearty meat sauce, a rich cheese mixture, and ziti pasta, all baked to perfection. This baked ziti is ideal for a family dinner, promising a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• Bell peppers
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Minced garlic
• Italian sausage
• Ground beef
• Diced tomatoes
• Spaghetti sauce
• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Chopped parsley
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Ziti noodles
• Bacon (optional)

Preparation Steps

1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pan, sauté peppers, onions, and mushrooms for about five minutes.

2. Add Garlic and Meats: Add minced garlic and cook for a minute. Then, introduce Italian sausage and ground beef. Season, cook until browned, and drain the excess grease.

3. Prepare the Sauce: Add diced tomatoes and spaghetti sauce to the meat mixture. Bring the sauce to a simmer and adjust the seasoning to taste.

4. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

5. Cook Pasta: Cook ziti noodles according to the package instructions.

6. Assemble the Dish: In a baking dish, add about a cup and a half of the meat sauce to line the bottom. Layer with the cooked ziti noodles mixed with the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering, ending with meat sauce on top.

7. Add Cheese and Bacon: Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese on top of the final meat sauce layer. Optionally, add bacon for extra flavor.

8. Bake: Bake the dish in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25 minutes.

Conclusion

This baked ziti recipe is sure to satisfy your craving for a hearty and delicious meal. The combination of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese mixture, and perfectly cooked pasta, topped with melted mozzarella and optional bacon, makes for a comforting dish that's perfect for any family dinner.