Description
Indulge in this comforting Classic Baked Ziti recipe that features layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. A family favorite that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Ziti Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Brown sausage or beef in olive oil, add onion, garlic, tomatoes, sauce, seasonings, and simmer.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix pasta with half of the sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella.
- Assemble: Layer sauce, pasta mixture, remaining sauce, and top with cheeses.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving, garnish with basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can assemble ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add sautéed zucchini or mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
