Description
Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, combining layers of cheesy goodness and rich marinara sauce that create a mouthwatering dish perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-make casserole is a crowd-pleaser, ideal for family gatherings or cozy nights in. With each bite, enjoy the creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
- Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until al dente. Drain, reserving one cup of pasta water.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and ground meat if using.
- Fold in marinara sauce and reserved pasta water until well combined.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture with half of the remaining marinara and cheeses. Repeat layers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg