Description
A warm and comforting dish of baked ziti layered with creamy cheeses and robust marinara sauce, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh or dried herbs (basil, oregano)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- If using ground meat, add it to the skillet and cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Combine cooked ziti with the meat sauce, then layer half in a baking dish, followed by dollops of the ricotta mixture, and remaining ziti on top.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to customize with vegetables or different meats. Pair with a salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy pasta, Italian comfort food, family meal, vegetarian options