Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food that’s perfect for gatherings and cozy nights in. This hearty dish features layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella that meld together in the oven to create a bubbling masterpiece. Whether you’re meal prepping or entertaining friends, this baked ziti recipe promises to impress and satisfy every palate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté garlic and onion until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- If using ground meat, add it now and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
- In a bowl, mix cooked ziti with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese until well combined.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg