Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Pizza Baked Ziti, a delightful fusion of cheesy baked ziti and your favorite pizza toppings. This hearty casserole features tender ziti pasta enveloped in rich marinara sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella and crispy Parmesan. Perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners, this dish is easy to prepare and customizable, making it a sure hit at any table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 3 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage for about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat, then add marinara sauce and heat through for another 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti with meat sauce, mixing in half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan until evenly distributed.
- Spread half of the mixture in a greased baking dish, layer remaining mozzarella on top along with the rest of the ziti mixture, and finish with more mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes; uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil leaves. Slice into squares and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg