Here’s a simple, comforting, and customizable baked pasta dish — classic, cheesy, and perfect for weeknight dinners. After this base recipe, I can help you tailor it (meatless, extra-creamy, spicy, different cheeses, etc.).

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🍝 Classic Baked Pasta (Baked Ziti–Style)

Ingredients

Pasta & Sauce

• 1 lb pasta (ziti, rigatoni, penne, or shells)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3–4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)

• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade tomato sauce

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture

• 1½ cups ricotta

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• 1 egg (optional, for a firmer mixture)

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley or basil

For Topping

• 1–2 cups mozzarella

• Extra Parmesan

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Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

• Boil in salted water until just shy of al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven).

• Drain and set aside.

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2. Make the Sauce

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium.

2. Add onion and cook until soft.

3. Add garlic for 30 seconds.

4. Add ground beef/sausage (if using); brown and drain excess fat.

5. Stir in marinara, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

6. Simmer 5–10 minutes.

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3. Mix the Cheeses

In a bowl combine:

• ricotta

• mozzarella

• Parmesan

• egg (optional)

• parsley

Stir until smooth.

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4. Assemble

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large bowl, combine pasta with half of the sauce.

3. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture and lightly mix (don’t fully blend — pockets are good!).

4. Spread half the pasta in a baking dish.

5. Add remaining sauce on top.

6. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.

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5. Bake

• Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes.

• Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

• Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

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🍽️ Serve With

• Garlic bread

• Simple green salad

• Roasted vegetables

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Variations I Can Give You

Just tell me which one you want!

• Creamy Alfredo baked pasta

• Chicken pesto baked pasta

• Meatless veggie bake

• Four-cheese, ultra-cheesy version

• Spicy Italian sausage version

• Baked pasta with spinach & mushrooms

• Greek-style (feta, olives, oregano)

What type of baked pasta are you craving?