Description
A comforting baked ziti dish with layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and melted cheese, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Ziti Pasta
- 1 lb Ground Beef or Italian Sausage
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce
- 15 oz Ricotta Cheese (Whole Milk)
- 2 cups Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Ziti: Boil salted water in a large pot. Cook the ziti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Garlic & Sauce: Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, allowing it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Mix Cheeses: In a mixing bowl, blend the ricotta with half the shredded mozzarella and some grated Parmesan until creamy.
- Layering Time: In a greased baking dish, layer half of the cooked ziti. Then add the meat sauce and dollops of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, add the remaining mozzarella on top, and continue baking uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Notes
Let the baked ziti rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, family meal