Description
This Cheesy Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food. With layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted mozzarella, this baked pasta dish is perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. It’s hearty, customizable, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
4. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
5. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.
7. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce. Add half of the pasta.
8. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over pasta and sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella.
9. Repeat layers: meat sauce, pasta, ricotta, mozzarella.
10. Finish with remaining sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
11. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
12. Uncover and bake for 10–15 more minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
13. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt and flavor—pre-shredded doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Make it vegetarian by swapping meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
Assemble ahead: cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg