Description
A comforting dish featuring layers of pasta, savory meat, and rich tomato sauce, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta (or penne/rigatoni)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. If using meat, add it until browned. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with an egg and a pinch of salt. Mix in half the mozzarella.
- In a greased baking dish, spread a layer of sauce, add half the pasta, then half the cheese mixture. Pour some marinara over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat the layers.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover with foil for the first 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Reserve some sauce for the top to keep moisture. Fresh herbs can enhance flavor before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta, Italian, Family Recipe, Comfort Food