Description
A nostalgic, comforting baked ziti layered with seasoned meat, creamy ricotta, marinara sauce, and melty cheese—perfect for weeknights or dinner parties, customizable to dietary needs.
Ingredients
1 lb dry ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan
1 lb ground beef or Italian turkey sausage
Fresh basil & oregano
Instructions
1. Boil the pasta until just al dente.
2. Brown ground meat or prepare roasted veggies for a vegetarian option.
3. Mix ricotta with herbs, salt, and one egg.
4. Layer baking dish: sauce, pasta, ricotta mix, mozzarella—repeat.
5. Top with Parmesan, cover with foil and bake.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes; uncover for final 10 minutes.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Swap meat for lentils or tofu for vegetarian version.
Use dairy-free cheese options for a vegan dish.
Make ahead and refrigerate or freeze unbaked.
Experiment with spice blends or fusion sauces like Gochujang.
Perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta bake, comfort food, family dinner