Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
634 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Baked Ziti
Description
Baked Ziti begins with cooking ziti noodles al dente, then tossing them lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. The sauce combines sautéed onions and garlic with crumbled Italian sausage seasoned with Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. This mixture is simmered with tomato sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, sugar to balance acidity, and fresh basil.
The dish is assembled by spreading a thin layer of sauce in a buttered casserole dish, layering pasta mixed with cheese such as ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan, and repeating. It is baked at 350°F until hot and bubbly, forming a golden cheese crust.
This baked pasta casserole is filling and flavorful, suitable for family dinners. It can be prepared in advance, refrigerated, or frozen before or after baking. When frozen, it should be thawed before baking or baked longer from frozen for best results.
Storing leftover baked ziti in the refrigerator keeps it good for up to 5 days. Freezing options extend shelf life to around 3 months while preserving the layered textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti noodles or penne noodles
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided, + 2 teaspoons
- 5 cloves garlic 1 heaping Tablespoon, minced
- 1 onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 lb Italian sausage I’ve used Sweet Italian and Mild
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 29 oz tomato sauce
- 14 oz diced fire roasted tomatoes undrained, canned
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup basil loosely packed, thinly sliced, fresh
- 1 ricotta cheese heaping cup
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and lightly butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Set aside.
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions, cook al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and mix with two teaspoons of olive oil.
- Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook until translucent (3-5 minutes). Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Add Italian sausage and cook, crumbling, until mostly browned. Once sausage is mostly browned, add Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, stirring and cooking until sausage is entirely browned.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in basil.
- Spread a small amount of pasta sauce (several spoonfuls, enough to just lightly cover the bottom) on the bottom of prepared casserole dish.
- Layer the sauce with half of the noodles (if some have stuck together while sitting, they should be easy to break apart with your hands). Top with half of the remaining sauce and use a spoon to spread evenly over noodles.
- Dollop ricotta evenly over sauce. Top evenly with remaining noodles and then remaining sauce.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan. Lightly grease a piece of foil with butter or oil, cover ziti and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook another 5-10 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve warm & enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftover baked ziti covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- You can prepare the dish up to the assembly step and refrigerate for 1-2 days before baking; it may require extra baking time.
- For freezing, wrap the assembled dish tightly to prevent freezer burn; freeze for up to 3 months.
- Bake frozen ziti covered for 60-75 minutes, then uncover and bake approximately 15 more minutes until heated through.
- Alternatively, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 634 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 634kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 27g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11g | 65% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 61mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 1576mg | 66% |
| Potassium | 938mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 800IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 12.4mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 370mg | 37% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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