Description
Comforting baked ziti recipe delivers hearty Italian-American pasta perfection with layers of rich marinara, melted cheeses, and savory ground beef. Pasta enthusiasts savor each cheesy, herb-infused bite that brings warmth to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (full-fat)
- 2 cups (8 oz) mozzarella cheese (low-moisture)
- 1/2 cup (2 oz) parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 24 oz spaghetti sauce
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook ziti pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- In a mixing bowl, blend cooked ziti with ricotta, mozzarella, beaten egg, and 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Spread the pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese across the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and cheese melts completely. Allow the dish to rest for 15 minutes after removing from oven, letting flavors integrate and settle.
Notes
- Use high-quality, fresh mozzarella for the best melting texture and rich flavor profile.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like rigatoni or penne if ziti is unavailable, maintaining similar cooking times.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk ricotta with part-skim ricotta and reduce overall cheese quantity.
- Add protein variety by mixing in cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or plant-based crumbles before baking to enhance nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg