Ohhh yes, you’re speaking the language of pure comfort now — Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. 
It’s saucy, cheesy, a little crispy on top, and all-out cozy. It’s what you serve when you want applause at the dinner table.
Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
(Basically lasagna’s chill, low-maintenance cousin — but just as delicious.)
Perfect for Sunday dinner, meal prep, potlucks, or any night that needs a warm, cheesy hug.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a combo)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce or 2½ cups homemade sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt, black pepper to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg (optional, for creamier ricotta layer)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
How to Make:
- Cook pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until just shy of al dente (it’ll keep cooking in the oven) → drain
- Make meat sauce: Sauté onion & garlic in a little olive oil → brown the beef → add sauce + seasonings → simmer 10–15 min
- Mix ricotta layer (optional): Stir egg into ricotta for extra creaminess
- Assemble:
- Layer half the pasta + some sauce + dollops of ricotta + mozz
- Repeat with remaining pasta, sauce, mozz, and top with Parm
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 min, until bubbly & golden
- Optional: broil 2–3 min at the end for that cheesy crust!
How to Serve:
- With a side salad & garlic bread
- A sprinkle of fresh herbs and maybe some chili flakes
- Cold glass of red wine or sparkling water with lemon
Caption Ideas:
- “If comfort food were a love language, this would be mine.”
- “It’s not just baked ziti. It’s therapy in a dish.”
- “That top layer of cheese? Yeah, it deserves a slow clap.”
- “Cheese pull: 10/10. Flavor: off the charts.”
Reel Flow:
- Sizzle shot of browning meat
- Pasta twirl + sauce pour = the cozy combo
- Layering cheese + saucy pasta = YES
- Out of the oven → cheese bubble → that first steamy scoop �
Want to remix it? I can offer:
- Veggie-packed version with spinach, mushrooms, zucchini
- Spicy sausage version with red pepper flakes + extra garlic
- Or a white sauce baked ziti with creamy Alfredo vibes
Ready for another comfort food classic? Just say the word!
