Description
Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American dish made with ziti pasta, meat sauce, and a blend of cheeses, baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (24-ounce) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, sautéing until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Add the ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks, and allow it to brown for 7-10 minutes, draining any excess fat.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, followed by the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella. Stir until well mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For an extra creamy texture, fold in 1/2 cup of sour cream or cream cheese with the ricotta.
- For a meatless version, substitute the meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg