Easy Ziti Bake
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this comforting and incredibly *Easy Ziti Bake*! This hearty casserole layers tender ziti pasta, a rich marinara sauce infused with garlic and optional browned beef or sausage, and a creamy ricotta cheese blend for the ultimate Italian-inspired dish. Topped with a golden, bubbly layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, every bite is a symphony of savory flavors and gooey textures. Perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep and bakes to perfection in under 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color, and serve it alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal. Whether you're a pasta lover or need a foolproof dish to impress, this baked ziti will quickly become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
If using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.
Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the garlic (and meat, if using). Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Add the cooked and drained ziti pasta into the skillet with the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
Layer half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cheese mixture evenly on top. Add the remaining pasta mixture as the final layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.5 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.0 g | 85% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 101 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 937 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.1 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.2 g | ||
| Protein | 36.5 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 453 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 314 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.
