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Baked Ziti

Irresistible Baked Ziti: Comforting Italian Family Favorite

Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American dish featuring layers of ziti pasta, savory tomato-sausage sauce, and gooey cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 lb Ziti Pasta Can be swapped for rigatoni or penne.
For the Sauce
  • 1 lb Italian Sausage Can substitute with turkey sausage.
  • 1 cup Diced Yellow Onion Shallots can be used as a substitute.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Cloves Pre-minced garlic can save time.
  • 24 oz Marinara Sauce Homemade or store-bought works.
  • 15 oz Tomato Sauce Use crushed tomatoes for chunkiness.
  • 1 tbsp Sea Salt Kosher salt is a good substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning Dried oregano or fresh herbs can be used.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Ricotta can be used as a lighter alternative.
For the Cheesy Layer
  • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Low-moisture mozzarella is ideal.
  • 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella Burrata adds an extra layer.
  • ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano is a great alternative.
For the Finishing Touches
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Flakes Omit for milder flavor, or substitute with black pepper.
  • 2 tbsp Minced Fresh Basil Dried basil can be used if fresh is unavailable.

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • pot
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • colander

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring salted water to a boil, add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente for about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown Italian sausage, diced onion, and minced garlic for about 8 minutes.
  4. Drain excess fat, then stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, sea salt, Italian seasoning, and heavy cream. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
  5. Add drained ziti pasta and 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Mix gently.
  6. Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, topping with fresh mozzarella and remaining shredded mozzarella.
  7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes until cheese is golden.
  8. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with red chili flakes and fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 22gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Serve with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

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