CHEESY BAKED ZITI
This Cheesy Baked Ziti is a comforting, oven-baked pasta dish loaded with marinara sauce, melty cheese, and perfectly cooked ziti. It’s a family favorite for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, delivering classic Italian flavors in every bite!
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil optional
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat Oven – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Step 2: Cook Pasta – Boil ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 3: Cook Meat Sauce – In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Stir in garlic, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix Ricotta – In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the egg.
- Step 5: Assemble Casserole – Spread half of the cooked ziti in the baking dish. Layer with half of the ricotta mixture, half of the meat sauce, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat layers, then sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Step 6: Bake – Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
- Step 7: Serve – Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the ziti up to a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Customizing the Flavor: Add red pepper flakes for heat or mix in sautéed mushrooms and spinach for extra veggies.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal.
- Allergy-Friendly Options: Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cheese alternatives if needed.
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.