Description
A comforting and cheesy baked pasta dish that combines ziti, rich marinara, and layers of melty cheeses, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti or penne pasta
- 24 ounces tomato sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh basil and parsley, to taste
- 1 pound ground meat (optional)
- Vegetables (optional; e.g., mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- If using, brown ground meat in a skillet over medium heat, adding chopped onions and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, then stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and herbs. Add any vegetables if using.
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, half of the meat sauce, and some parmesan. Repeat layers, finishing with mozzarella and parmesan on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Consider adding red pepper flakes for heat or using pesto sauce for a twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta, Comfort Food, Italian Recipe, Family Dinner