Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti
Get ready to elevate your pasta night with this comforting and crowd-pleasing Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti! This easy baked ziti recipe combines tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce, all layered with a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. The dish is beautifully seasoned with dried basil, oregano, and a hint of garlic for that classic Italian flavor. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour, this ziti casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Serve it with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal everyone will love. For a hearty, cheesy pasta bake that feels like a warm hug, this Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti will not disappoint!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss until evenly coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the sausage marinara sauce over the pasta and spread it evenly.
Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture and marinara sauce, spreading the layers evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of the dish.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden.
Allow the baked ziti to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
638 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.8 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.1 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 101 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1434 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g | ||
| Protein | 33.9 g | 68% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 468 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 328 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.
