Easy Baked Ziti Recipe For Two

Baked Ziti is a heartwarming Italian-American family style dish that is perfect for any occasion, and now you can enjoy as a smaller batch recipe designed for two people. This classic casserole is perfect to serve on a busy weeknight, yet it is also elegant enough to serve as a special occasion meal.

Best of all, it is easy to prepare! Start by cooking the pasta until al dente and then add half of the noodles into a baking dish.

Next place dollops of ricotta cheese on top and then pour the tomato meat sauce over the entire layer. Repeat the layers and top it with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Put it in the oven to bake and within 30 minutes you will have a delicious dinner for two!

Ingredients Needed To Make Baked Ziti

• Ground beef
• Diced Onion
• Garlic
• Canned tomatoes & tomato paste
• Dried Italian seasoning
• Ziti noodles
• Ricotta cheese
• Shredded Italian cheese blend & Mozzarella cheese

Common Recipe Substitutions

1. Ground Meat

Swap the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based alternative for a lighter version of this baked ziti recipe. Since these options are leaner be sure to add a touch of oil to the pan when browning to help prevent sticking.

However, if you are looking for a bolder flavor profile skip the beef and use ground sausage instead. Pick your preference between mild or hot Italian sausage to spice things up!

If you want a balance between flavor and health, opt for turkey or chicken sausage instead.

2. Pasta

While “Baked Ziti” is the traditional name for this dish, you could substitute penne pasta if you can’t find ziti at the store.

Penne is generally shorter and slightly wider than ziti. Its angled cut helps trap sauce, making it great for dishes with chunky ingredients.

However, ziti is the classic choice for baked Italian dishes, particularly casseroles. The overall size of the pasta and the smooth texture layers well with the other ingredients.

3. Cheese

Ricotta adds a tangy creaminess to the dish and melts perfectly in this baked ziti casserole for two. However, some people like to substitute cottage cheese in place of the ricotta.

As for the shredded cheese if you can’t find a pre-shredded Italian cheese blend, no worries. Make your own by using equal parts shredded Mozzarella and fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

What To Serve With Baked Ziti

Although this recipe can be served as a stand alone meal, here are a few suggestions on what to serve alongside this traditional dish:

1. Salad

A fresh garden salad is a great compliment to baked ziti.

2. Easy Caprese Salad

Keeping with the Italian theme make this Easy Caprese Salad. Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil tossed together and then drizzled with a balsamic reduction. Or make a Caprese Appetizer as the start to your meal.

3. Garlic Bread

In my opinion, every pasta dish deserves to be served with bread. There is nothing better than using an easy, homemade garlic knot to soak up the sauce on your plate at the end of the meal.

Baked Ziti Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 lb. Ziti noodles
• 1/4 Tbsp salt
• 7.5 oz. ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• Chopped parsley, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making this baked ziti recipe is to make the sauce. Heat a medium size skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until half of the meat is no longer pink.

Then add the diced onions to the skillet and continue to cook until the meat is cooked through. Once the meat is brown add the minced garlic to the skillet and saute for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant. Drain the grease from the skillet if necessary.

Then pour the tomatoes into the pan and add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and ½ cup water and stir. Stir constantly until the tomato paste has dissolved into the sauce.

Once the mixture is well incorporated turn the heat down to maintain a low simmer and then place a lid on the skillet. Stir the sauce occasionally while you prepare the pasta.

Cook The Pasta

While the sauce is simmering fill a medium pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Then add the pasta to the pot and stir to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other.

Cook per the package directions for al’ dente consistency. Then drain and place the ziti back in the pot, away from the heat source.

Immediately pour 1/2 cup of the tomato meat sauce over the noodles and stir until the pasta is coated. Set aside.

Prepare the cheese filling by mixing the ricotta cheese, Italian cheese blend, and black pepper in a bowl until well combined, set aside.

Layer The Baked Ziti Ingredients

Preheat the oven and spray an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour half of the lightly coated ziti noodles into the prepared baking dish. Then divide the cheese mixture into two and using one to one portion scoop dollops on top of the ziti pasta. Next, spoon half of the tomato/beef sauce over the pasta and ricotta.

Continue to build the second layer by adding the noodles, then the remaining ricotta mixture and finally pour the remaining sauce over top.

Before placing the casserole in the oven sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on top. Then loosely cover the baking dish with foil that the inside has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Place the covered dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Once the baking time is up, remove the foil and turn the oven to broil.

Keep the dish on the middle rack and broil for 4-6 minutes or until the cheese begins to bubble and starts to turn light brown. *Be sure to keep a close eye on the baked ziti casserole at this point so that the cheese doesn’t burn.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Enjoy! Mary

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