Description
Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian classic that features layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, delivering a satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. With its vibrant flavors and enticing aroma, this baked ziti recipe will become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes); drain.
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef or sausage over medium heat (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce until heated.
- In a bowl, combine cooked pasta with meat sauce and ricotta; mix gently.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, half of the mozzarella, then repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before serving; garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg