Description
Baked Ziti is a delicious and easy pasta dish made with ziti pasta, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce mixture. Stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Spread half of the ziti mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Layer the remaining ziti mixture on top, followed by the rest of the ricotta mixture and the remaining mozzarella cheese. Finish with the grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the baked ziti cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, swap the meat for sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers. You can also add leafy greens such as spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg