Royalty Fast Food

This baked ziti preparation consistently garners enthusiastic acclaim. A former colleague introduced this dish during a work-related occasion, eliciting widespread admiration. Subsequently, it has become the preferred choice amongst my dining invitees. Moreover, I have adeptly crafted a variant without meat, which has been met with equally positive reception.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Method for Making Baked Ziti

Step 1

Heat a large pot of water with a moderate amount of salt to the point of boiling. Introduce ziti pasta into the boiling water and cook it until it reaches a firm yet tender consistency, approximately lasting for a duration of 8 minutes. Subsequently, drain the cooked pasta.

Step 2

Simultaneously, commence the browning process of ground beef and onion in a generously sized skillet set over medium heat. Proceed to incorporate spaghetti sauce into the mixture, stirring consistently, and allow it to simmer for a duration of 15 minutes.

Step 3

Prior to assembling the dish, initiate the preheating of the oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Proceed to coat a baking dish measuring 9×13 inches with a layer of butter.

Step 4

Arrange half of the cooked ziti evenly across the base of the prepared baking dish. Layer this with Provolone cheese, followed by a spread of sour cream, half of the previously prepared meat sauce, the remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and the remaining portion of the meat sauce. The culmination of this layering should involve the application of grated Parmesan cheese atop the uppermost layer.

Step 5

Subject the assembled dish to baking in the preheated oven. The cooking process should persist until the entirety of the dish is heated through, and the assorted cheeses employed within have undergone a complete melting process. This typically takes approximately 30 minutes to achieve.

Nutrition Facts