Classic Baked Ziti
Dive into pure comfort food bliss with this Classic Baked Ziti recipe—a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish layered with tender ziti pasta, a rich and flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and plenty of gooey melted mozzarella. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, oregano, and basil, this Italian-inspired casserole comes together effortlessly with simple pantry staples, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The savory layers are baked to golden perfection, creating a bubbling, cheesy crust that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Ready in just an hour and serving up to 8, this baked ziti is a guaranteed family favorite that's easy to prepare and perfect for leftovers. Don't forget to garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and extra flavor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 48 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let cook for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and set aside.
Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti on top.
Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread gently with a spoon. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta layer.
Top with half of the remaining meat sauce, then repeat the layers: the rest of the pasta, ricotta mixture, 1.5 cups of mozzarella, and the remaining meat sauce.
Finish by sprinkling the remaining 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
624 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.5 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.5 g | 92% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 133 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 1090 mg | 47% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.1 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.6 g | ||
| Protein | 37.8 g | 76% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 618 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 241 mg | 5% | |
*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.
