Description
A warm and comforting baked ziti dish layered with ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups sautéed mushrooms (optional)
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped (optional)
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, sauté any vegetables you’re using in olive oil over medium heat until tender; add garlic towards the end.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, herbs, and any cooked protein or veggies.
- Spread half of this mixture in a baking dish, then layer it with remaining marinara and the rest of the ziti.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Letting the baked ziti rest before serving is crucial to maintain the layers. This dish reheats well, making it perfect for leftovers.
- 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: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta dish, comfort food, Italian recipes, family meals