Description
This Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting dish filled with rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces Ziti Pasta (or gluten-free pasta)
- 24 ounces Marinara Sauce (opt for high-quality brands)
- 2 cups Ricotta Cheese (or plant-based cheese)
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, freshly grated is ideal)
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Italian Sausage (or replace with roasted vegetables)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (or fresh garlic)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 Egg (omit for vegan version)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh Basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients for the Cheesy Baked Ziti. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil salted water in a large pot for the ziti pasta.
- Add the ziti pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, about 5-7 minutes, then drain excess fat.
- Combine the browned meat with marinara sauce in the skillet and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a baking dish, layer half the cooked ziti, half the meat sauce, half the ricotta mixture, and half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm with salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg