Description
Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American casserole dish featuring tender ziti pasta smothered in marinara sauce, layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a perfect comfort food for family gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
– 1 lb ziti pasta
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 tsp dried basil
– 1/2 tsp dried oregano
– 1/4 tsp garlic powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
– You can add ground beef or sausage to the sauce for a meatier version.
– For a vegetarian version, use plant-based ricotta and mozzarella.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1plate
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg