Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic that combines layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey cheese. This crowd-pleaser is perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners. With its inviting aroma and satisfying flavors, baked ziti promises smiles around the table as everyone goes back for seconds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti in salted water until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, brown ground meat over medium heat until cooked through.
- Mix marinara sauce with the meat and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, blend ricotta with half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the ziti with meat sauce followed by the cheese mixture; repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg