Description
Classic Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that brings warmth to any meal. Layered with rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, this classic recipe is perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights at home. With its inviting aroma and satisfying flavors, it promises to be a hit with everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant (3-5 minutes).
- Add ground meat; cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Cook ziti according to package instructions but reduce time by 2 minutes for al dente texture; drain.
- In a large bowl, mix meat mixture with marinara and ricotta cheese. Fold in cooked ziti.
- Layer half of the mixture in a baking dish, sprinkle with half the mozzarella, then repeat layers. Top with Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil for the last 10 minutes to brown the top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg