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–+ servings
Baked Ziti Recipe

Irresistible Baked Ziti Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

This Baked Ziti Recipe is a cozy dish that's quick to prepare and endlessly customizable, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 16 oz Ziti Pasta Can substitute with penne or rigatoni
For the Sauce
  • 24 oz Marinara Sauce Homemade or store-bought
  • 4 cloves Garlic Fresh or garlic powder
  • 1 medium Onion Shallots can be used as a substitute
For the Cheesy Filling
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese Use cottage cheese for a lighter version
  • 16 oz Mozzarella Cheese Fresh mozzarella preferred
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano can be used as a substitute
For the Protein
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Italian Sausage Can substitute with sautéed vegetables or lentils
For Topping & Seasoning
  • 1 cup Fresh Basil Dried basil is acceptable but fresh is recommended
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • baking dish
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, cook brown ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, draining any excess fat.
  3. Stir in marinara sauce with cooked meat in the skillet and simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
  4. Combine cooked ziti pasta, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and fresh basil in a mixing bowl.
  5. In a baking dish, spread half of the meat sauce, layer half of the pasta mixture, then repeat.
  6. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Customize your baked ziti by adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.

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