Hey, pasta lovers! Brace yourselves for a cheesy adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance like nobody’s watching. We’re diving into the delicious world of Classic Baked Ziti. This recipe is so easy, even your pet goldfish could probably whip it up (but let’s not give it a try). So grab your baking dish and let’s get saucy!

Let’s Get Cheesy!

The first step to happiness is a heart full of cheese and a mouth full of pasta. Take a look at this beauty:

Now that we’ve got our stomachs rumbling, let’s talk about what you’ll need to create this flavorful masterpiece. Below are the ingredients for our cheesy baked ziti. Trust me; they’ll be playing rock, paper, scissors for the last bite!

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Ingredients:

• 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (make sure it’s friendly!)
• 2 cups marinara sauce (grab the jar or make your own, no judgment here!)
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste (to keep things classy)
• Fresh basil for garnish (because you want to impress your guests!)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to a steamy 375°F (190°C). Yes, that’s hot, but so is your baked ziti!
2. In a large pot, boil water and cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente—just a bit firm, like a good handshake.
3. While the pasta is doing its thing, brown the ground beef or sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper for added flavor, like confetti at a fun party.
4. Once the meat is cooked, stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer happily for about 5 minutes.
5. In a big bowl, combine the cooked ziti, the meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir it all together like you’re mixing up some trouble!
6. Transfer this glorious mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top, and don’t be shy!
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow that cheesy goodness to bubble and brown.
8. Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then scatter some fresh basil on top (because it needs to look as good as it tastes).
9. Serve it up and watch your friends and family devour it in minutes—just try to keep some for yourself!

And there you have it! Classic Baked Ziti that’s sure to bring smiles, and maybe even a dance-off in the kitchen. Enjoy your cheesy journey!

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