Special Baked Ziti Supreme
Experience the ultimate comfort food with Special Baked Ziti Supreme, a hearty Italian-American classic elevated with bold, savory flavors. This irresistible dish combines tender ziti pasta with layers of rich marinara sauce infused with perfectly spiced Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. A touch of fresh basil, grated Parmesan, and a hint of garlic bring a gourmet twist, while a golden, bubbly cheese topping adds the perfect finishing touch. Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this baked ziti recipe is easy to make, irresistibly cheesy, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Enjoy the balance of textures and flavors with every bite of this comforting casserole classic!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 4 cups Marinara sauce
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tbsp Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Stir the cooked sausage back into the sauce.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, basil, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
Spread 1 cup of the sausage marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the ziti pasta over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta.
Repeat the layers: spread another cup of marinara sauce, followed by the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
Top the final layer with the remaining marinara sauce, the remaining Parmesan cheese, and an additional sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with additional basil if desired and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5015 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 272.2 g | 349% | |
| Saturated Fat | 115.3 g | 576% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 971 mg | 324% | |
| Sodium | 9339 mg | 406% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 417.6 g | 152% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.7 g | 124% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.9 g | ||
| Protein | 242.5 g | 485% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 3783 mg | 291% | |
| Iron | 27.3 mg | 152% | |
| Potassium | 1630 mg | 35% | |
*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.
