Baked Ziti

User Reviews

4.5

8 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    40 mins

  • Total Time

    50 mins

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    823 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    American

Baked Ziti

Easy, delicious Baked Ziti Casserole has layers of ziti noodles, meat sauce, cheese and is baked to perfection for an easy dinner!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 pound ziti pasta can sub penne noodles
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 32 ounces marinara sauce store bought or homemade
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup Italian cheese blend shredded
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • parsley garnish, chopped, fresh

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cook ziti noodles according to directions on the box until the pasta is al dente. You will also be baking this so do not cook past al dente. When it is done cooking, drain, return to the pan and set aside. You can toss with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. When the oil is simmering hot, add the Italian sausage and cook until it’s brown and crispy. Add the onion to the skillet when the sausage is almost cooked through. Continue to cook over medium-high heat until the onion is soft and translucent.
  4. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning, stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, then add the marinara sauce and stir well. Bring to a simmer.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta and Italian cheese blend.
  6. Add 1 cup of red sauce into the prepared ziti pasta, stir to combine.
  7. Pour half of the ziti into a greased 9x13’’ baking dish (the deeper the better). Add half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the ziti in small dollops. Then spoon half of the red sauce over the ricotta. Repeat these layers: pasta, ricotta mixture and sauce. Top generously with mozzarella cheese.
  8. Cover the baking dish with foil. Tent the foil so it’s not touching the cheese.
  9. Place the baking dish in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  10. After baking time is done, remove foil from the dish. Turn the oven to broil and return the casserole to the oven for 3-5 minutes or just until the cheese is lightly browned.
  11. Remove from the oven, top with chopped parsley if desired and serve.

Notes

  • I like to use a deep 9×13″ baking dish for this recipe. This is a big pasta casserole and needs plenty of room!
  • You can assemble it early in the day, refrigerate it, and then bake it when it’s time for dinner. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time.
  • You can also freeze this casserole. It will keep well for up to a month in the freezer, just make sure it’s wrapped well. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as instructed.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 823kcal (41%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 44g (88%) Fat 48g (74%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g (24%) Monounsaturated Fat 15g (75%) Cholesterol 123mg (41%) Sodium 1630mg (68%) Potassium 779mg (17%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 1138IU (23%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 520mg (52%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 823 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 823kcal 41%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 44g 88%
Fat 48g 74%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 1630mg 68%
Potassium 779mg 17%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 1138IU 23%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 520mg 52%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

8 reviews
Excellent

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