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Baked Ziti
Recipe by Grit & Soul · Save to D!NNER PLAN$
45 minBase: 6 servingsBakingitalian
Meal History
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4 people
Ingredients
- pastaNeed: 10.67 ozBuy: 1 box
- ground beefNeed: 0.67 lb
- tomato sauceNeed: 2 cupBuy: 2 can
- mozzarellaNeed: 1.33 cupBuy: 1 bag
- parmesanNeed: 0.33 cupBuy: 1 bag
- onionNeed: 0.33 item
- garlicNeed: 1.33 cloveBuy: 1 head
Instructions
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Before you start
Gather the ingredients and the pan or pot before turning on the heat. These steps keep the cooking efficient while still spelling out the key heat settings, doneness cues, and safe handling details.
Safe temp: Ground meat
160°F · Use a food thermometer
1. Cook the pasta
Use a 5- to 6-quart pot with enough salted water to let the pasta move freely. Bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, add the pasta, and stir immediately. Keep a steady boil, cook for the package time, and taste a piece before draining; pasta for a baked dish should be just shy of tender. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water if a sauce will be added, then turn off the burner and drain in a colander without rinsing.
Tender means a fork slides in with very little resistance.
2. Cook the beef
Brown the ground meat in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Continue until no raw pink remains and the meat reaches 160°F if checked. Turn off the burner before carefully draining excess grease into a heat-safe container.
Ground meat: 160°F. Use a food thermometer and check the middle of the patty or crumble cluster once it is nearly done.
3. Make the sauce
Lower the heat to medium-low, add the liquid gradually while stirring, and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once it coats a spoon, reduce the heat to low or off before adding cheese so it melts smoothly; loosen with a splash of liquid if needed.
A simmer uses small steady bubbles, not a hard rolling boil.
4. Make the sauce
Reduce the heat to low or off, add the ingredients in the listed order, and stir or toss until evenly coated. Adjust the texture with a small splash of liquid or a short rest over low heat, then taste and season before serving.
5. Step 5
Spread the listed topping evenly over the food without pressing it down, then continue to the next cooking step.