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Cozy Baked Ziti - A Heartwarming Easy Summer Pasta Dinner

Easy Cozy Baked Ziti Summer Pasta Dinner Recipe

Cozy baked ziti summer recipe thats heartwarming and easy. This warm summer pasta bake is perfect for family dinners. Try this comforting dish today.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Easy Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ziti pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the ziti pasta until just al dente (about 8 minutes)—you want it slightly firm because it continues cooking in the oven. I always taste a piece and slightly undercook it; nobody enjoys mushy pasta, trust me on this.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. You're looking for golden-brown color with minimal pink, though I always leave tiny bits of pinkness because I know it'll finish cooking later. Add the diced onion and garlic, stirring constantly for exactly 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to combine with your cozy easy dinner base. Reduce heat to low and let this simmer while you prepare the cheese mixture—the flavors will deepen and marry together beautifully during this time.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until completely blended and smooth, about 2 minutes. This cheese blend should feel slightly creamy but hold its shape; if it's too loose, add extra parmesan.
  5. Drain the cooked ziti pasta in a colander and fold it gently into the meat sauce until every strand is coated. Don't be rough with the pasta—you want pieces to stay whole and soak up all that sauce.
  6. Combine the pasta mixture with the ricotta cheese mixture in a large bowl, folding gently about 10-12 times until just blended. Don't overmix; marbled streaks of cheese mixture are fine and actually create a beautiful presentation. Transfer everything to a 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
  7. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese across the top, covering the entire surface completely. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly at the edges and golden-brown on top—you'll see it starting to brown around the perimeter first, which means you're close.
  8. Remove from the oven and let this heartwarming baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period lets the sauce set slightly so each portion holds together beautifully. Top with fresh chopped basil right before plating for brightness and visual appeal.