The Best Baked Ziti

Ingredients and Weight:

• Ziti pasta - 500 grams (cooked weight will vary)
• Ground meat (such as Italian sausage or ground beef) - 500 grams
• Red sauce (can use pre-made jarred sauce or homemade) - 1 cup
• Ricotta cheese - 150 grams
• Shredded Mozzarella cheese - 2 cups (for topping)
• Grated parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup (for topping)
• Salt and pepper - to season
• Italian seasoning or oregano - 1 teaspoon

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 30 minutes
• Cooking: 45-60 minutes

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the ziti pasta until just tender, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Once cooked, remove from heat and drain excess fat.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta, red sauce, and ground meat. Mix well.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with a small amount of the red sauce mixture to create a creamy consistency.
6. Pour the ziti mixture into a baking dish. Top with the ricotta cheese mixture, followed by shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
8. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information: (per serving - varies depending on actual measurements used)

• Calories: Approximately 600-700 calories per serving
• Fat: 25-35 grams
• Carbohydrates: 60-75 grams
• Protein: 25-35 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• This dish is a classic American-Italian fusion dish, featuring a rich, tomato-based sauce with creamy cheese and hearty pasta.
• The baked ziti is hearty and satisfying, making it a great dish for a family meal or gathering.
• The dish can be customized with different meats or vegetables to suit individual tastes.

User Comments:

1. "This was an excellent dish! The combination of flavors was spot on, and the baked ziti was perfectly cooked."
2. "I loved the creamy texture of the ricotta cheese mixed with the ziti. The dish was delicious and my family loved it!"
3. "I added some fresh basil and diced tomatoes for extra flavor. It turned out even better than expected!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to use pre-cooked ziti pasta that is slightly undercooked to ensure it doesn't become too soft during baking.
• Adjust the seasoning according to taste, adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning if desired.
• For a vegetarian option, omit the ground meat and increase the vegetables of choice in the red sauce.