Baked Ziti with Mozzarella Cheesy Baked Ziti with Melted Mozzarella and Rich Tomato Sauce Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ziti pasta 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef or Italian sausage, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 650 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings #bakedziti #italiancomfortfood #cheesypasta #mozarellapasta #homemadeitalian #comfortfoodrecipes #pastaovenbake #heartymeals #familydinner #easydinnerrecipes #italianrecipes #pastaandcheese #weeknightdinner #ricottacheese #groundbeefrecipes #italiandish #tomatosauce #pastafood #cheeselover #homecooking Indulge in this classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella—layers of cheesy goodness and rich meat sauce baked to bubbly perfection! Perfect for family dinners!

Chunky Marinara Sauce Rustic Italian-Style Chunky Tomato Marinara Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon sugar Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for deeper flavor) Directions: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently. Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with their juices. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, and tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and chunky. Stir in fresh basil leaves just before serving for a bright, fresh flavor. Serve with pasta, meatballs, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes Kcal: 120 kcal per serving (1/2 cup) | Servings: 6 servings #chunkymarinara #homemadetomatosauce #italiansauce #pastasauce #comfortfood #easyitalianrecipes #tomatorecipes #italianflavors #rusticsauce #healthyitalian #vegetarianrecipes #italiancomfortfood #slowcooksauce #marinarasauce #italianhomemade #saucelovers #tomatolove #pastaenthusiast #classicitalian #italianfamilymeals Whip up this rustic Chunky Marinara Sauce that’s bursting with fresh herbs and tomato goodness. Perfect for your favorite pasta night!

Chicken Spaghetti Creamy Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Ingredients: 12 oz spaghetti 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1/2 cup diced onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping) Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. In a large bowl, combine cooked spaghetti, shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, sautéed vegetables, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well. Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top if desired. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Let cool slightly before serving. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 450 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #chickenspaghetti #comfortfood #easycasserole #cheesypasta #homemadecasserole #familydinner #weeknightdinner #italiancomfortfood #spaghetti #chickenrecipes #casserolerecipe #cheeseplease #dinnerideas #homestylecooking #pasta #heartymeals #foodie #dinnerrecipes #bakedpasta #onepotmeal Cozy up tonight with this creamy, cheesy Chicken Spaghetti — a perfect weeknight comfort meal that everyone will love! 🍝🧀🐔

Tuscan Chicken Soup Hearty Tuscan-Inspired Chicken and Vegetable Soup Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 carrots, sliced 3 celery stalks, sliced 1 zucchini, diced 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes 6 cups chicken broth 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped 1/2 cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow macaroni) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese for serving Directions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and zucchini; cook for another 5 minutes until slightly softened. Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes. Stir in oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts whole to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken, shred it with two forks, then return shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in pasta and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Add chopped spinach and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 280 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 #tuscansoup #chickensouprecipe #italiancomfortfood #heartymeals #homemadesoup #vegetablepacked #easyitalianrecipes #souprecipes #chickenandpasta #winterwarmer #healthysoup #italianflavors #weeknightdinner #mealprepideas #souplovers #spinachrecipes #comfortfood #slowcookedflavor #homemadehealing #delicioussoups Cozy up with a bowl of Tuscan Chicken Soup! 🍲 Hearty veggies, tender chicken, and a touch of Italian herbs make this the ultimate comfort food. 🍅🍗🌿