Baked Ziti For One

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). While the oven is heating, bring a medium sized pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just tender. Drain and set pasta aside.

Step 2

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, ground beef, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is cooked through and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the Marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, stir in the cooked pasta and set pan aside.

Step 4

Combine the ricotta, 2 tablespoons of the mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Fold into the pasta/meat sauce mixture.

Step 5

Spoon 2 tablespoons of Marinara sauce into a lightly greased 5-inch baking dish; top with half of the pasta/meat mixture. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella over the noodles.

Step 6

Add the rest of the meat sauce and noodles and top with 2 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.

Step 7

Cover and bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let cool 10 minutes before eating.