Baked Ziti My Way
Indulge in the ultimate comfort dish with "Baked Ziti My Way," a hearty and flavorful twist on the classic Italian-American casserole. This recipe features layers of tender ziti pasta, a rich and savory homemade sausage marinara sauce, and a creamy ricotta cheese blend infused with fresh parsley. Topped with gooey melted mozzarella and golden Parmesan, this baked pasta dish delivers irresistible layers of texture and flavor in every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this easy-to-make dish requires just 20 minutes of prep time before baking to bubbly perfection. Serve with a crisp side salad or garlic bread for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal that’s bound to become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light layer of olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir in the chopped parsley and set aside.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the cooked ziti pasta, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture spread evenly. Add another layer of meat sauce, then repeat with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the final sauce layer.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden brown spots.
Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5083 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 266.4 g | 342% | |
| Saturated Fat | 112.5 g | 562% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1003 mg | 334% | |
| Sodium | 8592 mg | 374% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 441.6 g | 161% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.0 g | 139% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.4 g | ||
| Protein | 263.3 g | 527% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 4273 mg | 329% | |
| Iron | 31.2 mg | 173% | |
| Potassium | 4100 mg | 87% | |
*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.
