Christmas Cheesy Easy Baked Ziti

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the ziti according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage until fully cooked. Drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan.
Toss the cooked pasta with the ricotta mixture and half of the meat sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle over the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Replace the ground meat with a mix of sautéed mushrooms and spinach for a vegetarian version.
Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
Use a blend of provolone and mozzarella for a slightly sharper, richer cheese profile.
Swap ziti for penne, rigatoni, or any similar tubular pasta if that’s what you have on hand.

Undercook the pasta by 1–2 minutes to prevent it from becoming too soft during baking.
For deeper flavor, simmer the meat sauce for 10–15 minutes instead of 5.
Allow the baked ziti to rest for 10 minutes before serving to help it set and slice neatly.
Add a layer of fresh mozzarella slices on top for an extra gooey, indulgent finish.