Description
A rich, cheesy, and hearty baked ziti that warms both the heart and the belly, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and set it aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and some Parmesan until creamy.
- Grease a baking dish and begin layering: first, half of the ziti, then half of the meat sauce, and dollops of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil, add the remaining mozzarella on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Serve with a fresh garden salad or garlic bread for the best experience. Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially as it will cook further in the oven.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: baked ziti, italian comfort food, cheesy pasta