Description
A comforting dish made with ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh herbs, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. If using, add the ground sausage and brown.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes. Mix the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring it is well coated.
- In a large baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture, dollop with ricotta, sprinkle with mozzarella, and add the remaining pasta mixture. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for a few moments, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve.
Notes
Feel free to customize with different cheeses or a mix of sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Italian, Comfort Food, Pasta, Family Meal