Description
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, combining perfectly cooked pasta, a rich and savory tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and layers of gooey, melted cheese. This oven-baked dish is easy to prepare and makes an excellent meal for weeknights, potlucks, or family gatherings. It’s hearty, cheesy, and endlessly customizable—perfect for feeding a crowd!
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce:
- 1 lb ziti pasta (or substitute with penne or rigatoni)
- 2 ½ cups marinara sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or substitute with ground turkey or plant-based alternative)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Cheese & Ricotta Mixture:
- 1 ¼ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, beaten (to bind ricotta mixture)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the ziti until just al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Sauce
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the chopped onion for 3 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes to enhance the flavors.
3. Make the Ricotta Mixture
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, half the Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir well until smooth and creamy.
4. Layer the Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil.
- Start layering:
- Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Add half of the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce.
- Spread half the ricotta mixture over the pasta.
- Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella on top.
- Repeat the layers, finishing with a final layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
5. Bake to Perfection
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Italian-American
- Cuisine: Main Course
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 26g