Description
Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American dish that combines ziti pasta with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce. Stir until well coated.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the ziti mixture. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture on top, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the remaining ziti, ricotta, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Add a layer of spinach or kale between the pasta layers for added nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg