Description
This easy baked ziti is warm, cheesy, and ready in under an hour, featuring tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and a golden, bubbly top.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the ricotta cheese, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat, then stir in the marinara sauce.
- Spread half of the ziti mixture in a baking dish, sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella, add the remaining ziti mixture, and top with the rest of the mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the baked ziti sit for 5–10 minutes before serving and garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
For a richer top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end—watch closely to avoid burning. This dish can be assembled in advance and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 585
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 80mg