Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti or penne pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Remove the pancetta and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet and cook until browned. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Remove any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, fresh basil, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour the marinara or tomato sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, prepared sauce, and crispy pancetta. Toss well to coat everything.
- Distribute half of the pasta blend into the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese over this pasta layer.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh basil or grated cheese if you want. Serve.
Nutrition
Notes
If you do not use pancetta fat to sauté the ground beef, use olive oil instead.
Avoid overcooking the pasta because it will continue to cook in the oven. Boil it until it is just al dente, then drain and set it aside.
Seasoning each layer of the dish helps build the best flavor.
If your pasta mixture seems dry, stir in a bit more sauce before you bake it.
To Store: Once cooled, cover the baking dish tightly with foil or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. If you plan to freeze it, use an aluminum pan. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and bake it directly from the pan.
To reheat: Cover the pan with foil and place it in the oven at 350°F until it is warmed through. If you are heating a small amount, the microwave works well.