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A serving of baked ziti with melted cheese and basil on top is placed on a white plate. In the background, a glass baking dish is filled with more baked ziti. The dish is set on a wooden table.
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Best Baked Ziti Recipe

This classic baked ziti recipe is cheesy, rich and super delicious dish. If you like comfort food dishes, you must try this American-Italian style baked pasta casserole.
Prep Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta
Servings: 8
Calories: 619kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ziti pasta
  • Olive oil
  • 1 Onion chopped
  • 3-4 Garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 pound Italian sausage/ground beef/ground pork
  • 2-14 oz cans Tomato sauce or marinara sauce
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz Mozzarella grated
  • ½ cup Parmesan grated
  • ½ cup Water
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta: to a large pot water add 1 tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil. When water is boiling add the pasta cook to al dente. Drain when ready.
  • Meanwhile: in a large pan heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chopped onion and sauté until slightly golden, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the beef and cook over high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, paprika and chili flakes. Add tomato sauce and water. Simmer for 4-5 minutes and turn the heat off.
  • Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
  • Spread a thin layer of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole pan. Then combined drained pasta with the meat sauce. Pour half of the pasta-meat mixture into the dish. Then dot the surface with half the ricotta cheese and sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the parmesan. Pour the rest of the pasta-meat mixture of the cheese layer, then, dot the remaining ricotta cheese over the pasta, and sprinkle on top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 619kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1842mg | Potassium: 884mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1260IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 392mg | Iron: 3mg