This baked ziti recipe is easy to make, super delicious, and comforting! The whole family will love it, kids included! It’s a creamy and cheesy dish perfect for eating on a cold rainy day to warm up your soul.
Why you will love this recipe
- This baked ziti is easy to make, comforting, and super cheesy.
- It’s a versatile dish. If you would like to turn this recipe into a vegetarian recipe, replace the ground turkey with some vegan mince.
- If you have kids in your family, this dish will be one of their favorites!
Ingredients for this recipe
Ziti pasta: The star ingredient! If you don’t have ziti pasta, you can use penne instead.
Ground turkey: Use lean ground turkey. For a vegetarian version, replace it with vegan mince.
Onion: To saute the ground turkey.
Garlic: Adds extra flavor to the dish.
Olive oil: To saute the ground turkey.
Tomato puree: Use homemade or store-bought.
Parmesan cheese: We’ve used grated parmesan cheese.
Mozzarella cheese: Use shredded mozzarella cheese.
Ricotta cheese: Use your favorite brand.
Seasoning: To season this dish, you will need salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Fresh oregano: Garnish this dish with fresh oregano or fresh basil. This ingredient is optional.
How to make this recipe
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F ( 180 C ) and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat, drizzle the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until golden.
Then, add the ground turkey seasoned with a pinch o salt, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Stir often to prevent burning.
Next, add the tomato puree, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, mix everything, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
When the pasta is al dente, drain and add the pasta to the tomato and turkey mix. Stir gently until well combined. Mix the ricotta with the parmesan cheese and set aside.
To assemble the baked ziti into a baking tray, pour a layer of half of the pasta mix first, then half of the ricotta mix on top of the ziti. Repeat this process one more time.
Add the mozzarella cheese on top and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Garnish with fresh basil or fresh oregano and serve.
FAQ
Do you bake ziti covered or uncovered?
We’ve baked this dish uncovered for the cheese to melt and golden.
Is ziti the same as penne?
No, they are very similar but still different types of pasta.
Ziti has a smooth texture, and its ends are cut straight. While penne is not smooth in texture, and the ends are cut at a diagonal.
Should I undercook pasta for baked ziti?
Yes, cook the ziti al dente to prevent the pasta from getting mushy when baked.
Tips for making this recipe
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Remember that the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so don’t overcook the pasta. It should be al dente.
- Store leftovers: This dish will last in the fridge on an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Make ahead: If you would like to prep this baked ziti ahead, you can do it! Keep the baking tray covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 hours until it’s time to bake.
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Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 14 oz ziti cooked al dente (400 g)
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- lean ground turkey 400 g
- 1 1/2 cups tomato puree
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 50 g
- 1 cup ricotta cheese 250 g
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese 100 g
- fresh oregano or basil to garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F ( 180 C ) and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat, drizzle the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic for 2 minutes or until golden.
- Then, add the ground turkey seasoned with a pinch o salt, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Stir often to prevent burning.
- Next, add the tomato puree, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, mix everything, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
- When the pasta is al dente, drain and add the pasta to the tomato and turkey mix. Stir gently until well combined.
- Mix the ricotta with the parmesan cheese and set aside.
- Into a baking tray, pour a layer of half of the pasta mix first, then half of the ricotta mix on top of the ziti. Repeat this process one more time.
- Add the mozzarella cheese on top and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Garnish with fresh basil or fresh oregano and serve.