Zesty Ziti Bake
Get ready to elevate pasta night with this irresistible Zesty Ziti Bake, a hearty and flavorful casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week. This comforting Italian-inspired dish combines tender ziti pasta, savory ground Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce infused with a subtle kick from crushed red pepper flakes. Layers of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheeses add indulgent decadence, while fresh basil brings a burst of aromatic freshness. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this dish is easy to assemble yet impressive enough for dinner parties. With just 15 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes in the oven, this baked pasta recipe will quickly become a cherished family favorite. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this ziti bake pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 units garlic cloves, minced
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
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 package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Mix well.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce mixture over the bottom of the dish.
Add half of the cooked ziti pasta to the baking dish, then spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with half of the remaining marinara sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the dish.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the Zesty Ziti Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
682 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.6 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.9 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 114 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 1536 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.6 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g | ||
| Protein | 36.9 g | 74% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 545 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 325 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.
