Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food, featuring layers of hearty pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey cheese that meld together to create a satisfying dish. Perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings with friends, this easy-to-make recipe will fill your home with mouthwatering aromas and keep everyone coming back for seconds. Customize it with your favorite proteins or veggies for a personal touch that transforms this classic into your own culinary masterpiece.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce (your choice)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, brown ground meat if using, then mix in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta with half of mozzarella and Italian seasoning.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the meat sauce, ziti, and ricotta mixture. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan; cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg