Baked Ziti recipe 🍝

Baked ziti is one of those comforting Italian-American dishes that’s both hearty and wonderfully easy to prepare — ideal for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week. Using quality ingredients like Barilla’s classic rigatoni pasta ensures a perfect al dente texture in about 12-13 minutes, which is important to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy after baking. I love starting by boiling the rigatoni with salt and a splash of oil; the oil helps keep the pasta from sticking together later. While the pasta cooks, sautéing ground beef along with diced onions and bell peppers adds great depth and a savory base to the dish. I usually season with garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of pepper to enhance the flavors before mixing in the tomato sauce. For the sauce, Prego’s Roasted Garlic Parmesan offers a rich and flavorful option that blends perfectly with the cheeses. The star of baked ziti is definitely its cheese blend — I mix ricotta for creaminess, shredded mozzarella for meltiness, and finely shredded parmesan for that sharp, nutty flavor. Adding a cracked egg to the cheese mix helps bind everything together nicely. When assembling, layering the pasta with the meat sauce and cheese mixture ensures each bite has a balance of textures and flavors. Baking the ziti until bubbly and slightly golden on top creates that irresistible crust that everyone loves. From personal experience, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time and tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for leftovers or freezing for later meals. Enjoying this baked ziti with a side of garlic bread and a fresh green salad can complete a satisfying and well-rounded dinner. This is truly a versatile crowd-pleaser that fits any occasion, from casual family dinners to potlucks!