Description
Indulge in the Best Ever Baked Ziti, a delightful comfort food that combines perfectly cooked ziti pasta with layers of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce. This easy-to-make dish is ideal for busy weeknights or family gatherings, promising to be a hit with everyone at the table. With its cheesy goodness and savory flavors, this baked ziti is not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings loved ones together. Ready in under an hour, you can prepare this hearty casserole with minimal effort while enjoying maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain.
- In a skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes; drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine drained pasta with ricotta cheese, half of both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and fresh basil.
- Layer half of the meat sauce in a baking dish, followed by half of the pasta mixture; repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan; cover with foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg