"Frying Friday" Here's a Quick & Easy Meal... Bellissimo! (with video)

Ultimate Baked Ziti

 Bellissimo!

 

Total Time: 1:05

Prep: 0:15

Cook: 0:50

Level: Easy

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb. ziti pasta
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 c. fresh ricotta
• 2 tbsp. thinly sliced basil, plus more for serving
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan
• 2 c. shredded mozzarella

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until very al dente; drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for one minute. Add meat and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until browned. Drain fat.
3. Add tomato paste and oregano and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes more, until slightly darkened. Add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and flavors have melded, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
4. In a large bowl, combine sauce and pasta. Fold in ricotta, leaving large clumps. Spread about half of the pasta mixture into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan over the pasta. Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling. Garnish with more basil before serving.