Ingredients
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Making the Bolognese Sauce
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion turns translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix the drained ziti with the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Combine well, then fold in the Bolognese sauce.
Baking the Dish
- Pour half of the ziti mixture into a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining sauce and the rest of the ziti. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the ziti for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serving
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
You can prep everything up to the baking stage and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Feel free to add extra vegetables for an additional nutritional kick.