Description
A classic Italian-American dish combining ziti pasta, savory meat, marinara sauce, and cheesy goodness, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef or Italian sausage until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine the cooked ziti with the meat sauce in a large mixing bowl, adding ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Spread half of the ziti mixture into a greased baking dish, then sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Add the rest of the ziti mixture on top, finishing with the rest of the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan or Pecorino cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use quality ingredients for the best flavor. Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: baked ziti, Italian-American, pasta, comfort food, casserole, family meal