Description
A comforting and nostalgic dish made with ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ziti or penne pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb Italian sausage or ground beef (optional)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil, to taste
- Fresh oregano, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil; cook the ziti until al dente.
- In a skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, then add the ground meat if using, cooking until browned.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Spread a layer of sauce in a baking dish, add half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the remaining sauce, and half of the remaining mozzarella. Repeat the layering.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbling.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving with garlic bread and salad.
Notes
For a healthier version, use whole-grain pasta and include more vegetables. This dish can be frozen and reheated later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta, Italian, Comfort Food, Family Dinner