The Cheesiest Baked Ziti

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:43:21 GMT

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 and spray a 9x13

Step 2

In a 5 quart dutch oven, add vegetable oil to coat the bottom and heat over medium heat.

Step 3

Add in the meat and sear for 2-3 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side until browned. Mash the meat using a potato masher.

Step 4

Let the meat cook over medium-high heat until the fat renders out and the meat is a bit crispy. Remove from the pot and place to the side.

Step 5

Add olive oil to the pot and add in the diced sweet onion. Season with salt and saute for 3 minutes. Add in finely chopped garlic and saute for 20 seconds.

Step 6

Add the meat back to the pot and mix to combine. Add in crushed tomatoes, stir together, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with sugar to cut the tomato acidity.

Step 7

Separately, fill a pot with water and season generously with salt. Once water is boiling add to the pasta. Cook just under al dente.

Step 8

Using a spider, transfer the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.

Step 9

For the cheese mixture, grate all the cheeses and toss them together.

Step 10

In the 9x13 greased baking dish, add in half of the pasta & sauce evenly spreading out. Add full-fat ricotta on top followed by half of the cheese mixture.

Step 11

Add the other half of pasta and sauce, topped with the other half of ricotta, and the other half of the cheese mixture.

Step 12

Place the dish into the 375F oven for 35 minutes. Remove and let cool completely

Step 13

Finish with basil leaves on top.

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