No Measure Baked Ziti
Effortless and crowd-pleasing, this No Measure Baked Ziti is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights or comforting family dinners. Featuring al dente pasta, a savory meat sauce made with ground beef or Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and layers of melted mozzarella and Parmesan, this dish is packed with robust Italian flavors. What sets it apart is its simplicity—no need for precise measurements, making it a foolproof option for cooks at any skill level. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a single baking dish, this cheesy baked pasta is as easy to prepare as it is satisfying to eat. Serve it bubbling hot, garnished with fresh herbs, for a classic, hearty meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or weeknight comfort food cravings!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Ziti pasta (or any short pasta)
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 1 pound Ground beef or Italian sausage
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly 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 the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and basil, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked meat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, prepared meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix until evenly combined.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese evenly 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 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
788 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.9 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.5 g | 98% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 126 mg | 42% | |
| Sodium | 1060 mg | 46% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.1 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 45.3 g | 91% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 599 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 374 mg | 8% | |
*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.
