Description
Baked Ziti is a hearty, cheesy Italian-American casserole layered with pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family meals or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add ground beef or sausage (if using) and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half the Parmesan cheese, and a bit of salt and pepper.
- Add half of the cooked ziti to the baking dish. Top with half of the meat sauce, spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture, and a layer of shredded mozzarella.
- Repeat layers with remaining ziti, sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Try spicy sausage for more kick or use a white/Alfredo sauce for variation.
- Use gluten-free pasta or dairy-free cheese for dietary adjustments.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg