Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty and delicious Baked Ziti recipe. A perfect blend of al dente ziti pasta, rich homemade meat sauce featuring ground beef and Italian sausage, and layers of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan cheese, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser. The recipe combines fragrant garlic, onions, and a medley of Italian herbs to create a flavor-packed sauce that will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas. Topped with golden, bubbly cheese and baked to perfection, this family-friendly dinner is ideal for weeknights, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Ready in just over an hour and serving up to eight people, this classic baked pasta recipe is as easy to prepare as it is to love. Serve warm with a side of garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete Italian-inspired feast! Keywords: baked ziti, Italian pasta, comfort food recipe, cheesy baked pasta, family dinner ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried basil leaves
- 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and fresh parsley. Mix well and set aside.
In a large baking dish, spread half of the sauce mixture on the bottom. Layer with half of the cooked ziti, all of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Add the remaining ziti, top with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked ziti sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
722 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.0 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.8 g | 104% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 152 mg | 51% | |
| Sodium | 1504 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.3 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.2 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.0 g | ||
| Protein | 39.2 g | 78% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 437 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 922 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
