Easy Weeknight Dinner series: ONE PAN BAKED ZITI

From my “Easy Weeknight Dinners” series:
One-Pan Baked Ziti - There’s just something about baked pasta that makes a house feel like home. I still remember the first night we were unpacking boxes in our Lake Norman home — the kitchen was barely set up, but I managed to throw together a simple baked ziti with what I had. We sat on boxes, eating with plastic forks, and it was perfect.
This one-pan version is a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s cheesy, hearty, and feeds a hungry family with minimal cleanup. And if you want to add a little local flavor, grab fresh basil and mozzarella from Josh’s Farmers Market in Mooresville — it really does make a difference.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil (optional but highly recommended!)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta just until al dente; drain.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, brown the meat and season.
- Stir in marinara and cooked pasta. Add ricotta and half the mozzarella.
- Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
- Top with chopped basil and serve warm.
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