Description
A comforting and nostalgic baked ziti recipe that brings joy to family gatherings with layers of pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Ziti or Penne Pasta
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce
- 15 oz Ricotta Cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 lb Ground Meat (beef, turkey, or Italian sausage)
- 1 cup Fresh Basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1 cup Mushrooms, diced (optional)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Red Pepper Flakes (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the ziti according to package directions until al dente.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a skillet, heat olive oil, add garlic, onion, and mushrooms, sauté until fragrant and tender.
- Add the Meat: Stir in the ground meat, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
- Mix the Sauce and Herbs: Add marinara sauce, basil, and parsley, let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Layer It Up: In a greased baking dish, layer sauce, ziti, ricotta, and mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with Parmesan.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.
- Let It Rest: Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serve with garlic bread and a crisp green salad for an impressive meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta, Italian cuisine, comfort food, family meal