Description
Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cozy evenings and gatherings. This rich, cheesy pasta dish combines ziti with layers of marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella to create a warm, satisfying meal. Simple to prepare, it’s ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (or a mix)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant (about 3 minutes). Add meat and cook until browned.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with egg, salt, pepper, and half the basil.
- Layer half of the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Add half of the ziti, followed by half of the ricotta mixture and some mozzarella. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly before slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg