Easy Baked Ziti
Wrap your taste buds in comfort with this Easy Baked Ziti recipe, a hearty and delicious classic that's perfect for weeknight dinners or family get-togethers! Featuring tender ziti pasta layered with rich marinara sauce, savory ground beef or Italian sausage, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, this dish is topped with gooey mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan for the ultimate cheesy finish. With only 20 minutes of prep time and straightforward layering, it’s an effortlessly satisfying crowd-pleaser that bakes to golden, bubbly perfection. Serve it warm straight from the oven, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley for an irresistibly cozy Italian feast! Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this baked ziti is a must-try comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the grated parmesan cheese. Mix until well blended.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta in an even layer.
Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the ziti, spreading gently with a spoon. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
Repeat the layers: spread another layer of meat sauce, add the remaining ziti, dollop the remaining ricotta mixture, and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the top with the remaining parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Let the baked ziti cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve warm!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
614 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.0 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.8 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 144 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 967 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.0 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 39.2 g | 78% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 515 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 333 mg | 7% | |
*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.
