Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
Baked Ziti
Description
Baked Ziti combines cooked ziti pasta with browned Italian sausage and marinara sauce, then layered with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The mixture is baked in an 8"x8" dish, resulting in tender pasta coated in rich tomato sauce with savory sausage bits throughout. The final broil creates a golden, bubbling cheese crust that contrasts nicely with the soft pasta beneath.
The sausage adds a hearty, savory note while the cheeses provide creaminess and a slightly salty tang. The oven cooking melds these elements and thickens the sauce slightly. Letting the dish cool before serving helps it hold its shape when cut.
This dish serves well as a main course for casual dinners. It can be presented with a simple green salad or crusty bread to balance the richness. The recipe also provides make-ahead and freezer instructions, allowing preparation in advance and convenient reheating while maintaining texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Italian sausage casings removed, sweet or spicy
- 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or store bought
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan grated
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- basil garnish, leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of salt and pasta to water and stir. Boil pasta for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente. Drain, toss with a teaspoon of oil, pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour remaining olive oil into a large sauté pan and place over medium- high heat. Add sausage and break apart with a wooden spoon. Cook sausage for about 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Drain and add to pasta.
- Add marinara, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan and gently fold together until fully incorporated. Adjust seasonings.
- Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8”x 8” baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a broiler and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until browned and bubbling.
- Allow ziti to cool for 5 to 7 minutes before topping with basil leaves and serving.
Notes
- You can make the recipe ahead by assembling it through step 5, then wrapping tightly and refrigerating up to 3 days; bake with foil 15 minutes, then uncovered 15 minutes until heated through.
- For freezing, prepare through step 6, freeze until solid, cover, and bake from frozen at 350°F for 45 minutes covered, then 15 minutes uncovered until hot and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 389kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 58mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 1311mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 379mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 503IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 238mg | 24% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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