Yummy Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Yummy Baked Ziti recipe—a hearty, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks! This classic Italian-American casserole layers tender ziti pasta with a luscious combination of marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. Optional ground beef or Italian sausage adds a savory depth, while garlic, onion, and herbs bring out rich, aromatic notes. Easy to prepare in just an hour, including a bubbly, golden-brown finish, this baked ziti serves eight and pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread. Whether you’re craving comfort food or feeding a group, this recipe is pure baked pasta bliss.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to the package instructions (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
If using ground beef or Italian sausage, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the meat and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain any excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
In the prepared baking dish, spread 1 cup of the meat sauce (or plain marinara if not using meat) across the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top, followed by half of the remaining marinara sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
Sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
483 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.7 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.2 g | 71% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 768 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.6 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 30.3 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 384 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 283 mg | 6% | |
*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.
