Delicious Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this delicious baked ziti recipe, a hearty classic that's perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This dish combines tender ziti pasta layered with a rich, savory meat sauce simmered with marinara and aromatic garlic, a creamy ricotta mixture infused with fresh parsley, and a melty topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Easy to prepare with just 20 minutes of prep time, this baked ziti comes together effortlessly in your oven, delivering bubbling layers of cheese and perfectly seasoned flavors in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping a make-ahead casserole, this baked ziti recipe is guaranteed to deliver comfort and satisfaction.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until well mixed.
Spread a small amount of the meat sauce (about 1 cup) on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta on top.
Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture over the ziti, spreading gently to create an even layer. Top with half of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat the layers with the rest of the pasta, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce.
Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4854 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 244.4 g | 313% | |
| Saturated Fat | 105.2 g | 526% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 982 mg | 327% | |
| Sodium | 6579 mg | 286% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 422.2 g | 154% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 36.6 g | 131% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.2 g | ||
| Protein | 271.4 g | 543% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 4206 mg | 324% | |
| Iron | 31.4 mg | 174% | |
| Potassium | 2366 mg | 50% | |
*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.
