Description
A comforting Italian-American favorite with layers of al dente pasta, marinara sauce, and a trio of cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage or ground beef (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, cook garlic, onion, and sausage (or ground beef). Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make Cheese Mixture: Mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Layer the Dish: Spread some sauce in a greased baking dish. Add half the pasta, followed by half the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, topping with the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600 per serving
Keywords: best baked ziti, easy baked ziti, classic baked ziti, cheesy baked ziti, baked pasta recipe