Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of a classic baked ziti, a beloved Italian-American dish that brings together ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and aromatic herbs. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauces and Cheeses:
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta: Cook ziti pasta until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare meat sauce: Brown ground beef or sausage in olive oil, then add onion, garlic, and seasonings. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato sauce, and water. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Combine cheeses: Mix ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
- Assemble: Combine pasta with meat sauce, layer in a baking dish with ricotta mixture and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then bake uncovered until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the ziti ahead of time and refrigerate before baking; adjust baking time accordingly.
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey and part-skim cheeses.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 940 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
