Description
A rich and cheesy Baked Ziti that’s pure Italian-American comfort. Layers of tender pasta, hearty meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese come together in this crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and toss with a bit of olive oil.
3. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned.
4. Add garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. In a baking dish, spread a layer of sauce, then half of the pasta.
6. Dollop ricotta cheese over pasta, sprinkle mozzarella, and repeat layers.
7. Top with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 more minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
Use half beef and half sausage for richer flavor.
For a vegetarian version, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
Baked ziti freezes beautifully — perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy pasta bake, family dinner, comfort food, pasta casserole