Baked Ziti Casserole
Elevate your dinner routine with this comforting and crowd-pleasing Baked Ziti Casserole, a classic Italian-American dish that's as easy to make as it is satisfying. Featuring tender ziti pasta layered with a rich, savory meat sauce made from ground Italian sausage, marinara, and aromatic spices, this recipe combines the bold flavors of garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tangy Parmesan cheeses create irresistibly gooey and golden layers, while the optional fresh parsley adds a bright, herby finish. Perfectly baked to bubbly perfection in just under an hour, this hearty casserole is ideal for feeding a hungry crowd or prepping ahead for weeknight dinners. Serve it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: baked ziti casserole, easy weeknight dinner, cheesy pasta bake, Italian comfort food, family-friendly recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Stir in the marinara sauce, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and optional parsley. Stir until well mixed.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Add half of the cooked ziti pasta to the baking dish, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, and then half of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5164 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 279.4 g | 358% | |
| Saturated Fat | 119.7 g | 598% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 823 mg | 274% | |
| Sodium | 9918 mg | 431% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 419.3 g | 152% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.6 g | 116% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.5 g | ||
| Protein | 269.7 g | 539% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 4582 mg | 352% | |
| Iron | 25.0 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 1974 mg | 42% | |
*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.
