Description
This heartwarming baked ziti recipe is a comforting, family-friendly dish perfect for home cooks. Loaded with tender pasta, rich marinara, savory meat, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, it’s simple to make and sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
2 jars (24 oz each) marinara sauce
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
15 ounces ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Boil ziti pasta in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside
In a large skillet, cook ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set aside
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with salt and pepper to taste
To assemble, spread 1-2 cups of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish
Alternate layers of pasta, meat mixture, ricotta, and marinara, finishing with a top layer of sauce and mozzarella
Optional: Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then sprinkle over the top for a crispy finish
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top
Let cool slightly before serving
Notes
Ground beef or Italian sausage can be substituted based on preference
Penne or rigatoni can replace ziti if unavailable
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms or eggplant
Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 55
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Grandma-style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg