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Baked Ziti (Easy Pasta Casserole) VIDEO
Baked Ziti is an easy, saucy, and cheesy pasta casserole. It has all of the great flavors of Lasagna but is simple to prepare and serve as a pasta bake.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 469 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ziti pasta or penne pasta or gluten-free pasta
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz fresh ricotta
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain (do not overcook as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven).
- In a deep pan or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is fully cooked through and onions are softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and sauteé for another minute. Add 5 cups marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking for 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
- Spread a ladle of meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Add chopped basil and spoon in ricotta into the remaining sauce Add cooked pasta and stir just until noodles are coated (you want to keep that ricotta texture)
- Transfer half of the pasta to the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the shredded mozzarella and 1/2 of the grated parmesan. Add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Clear the edges of the pan so the cheese doesn’t burn onto the dish. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese. Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with basil if desired and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
469kcal
(23%)
Carbs
44g
Protein
34g
(68%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Cholesterol
80mg
(27%)
Sodium
1307mg
(54%)
Potassium
765mg
(22%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
991IU
(20%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
498mg
(50%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 469
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 469kcal | 23% |
| Carbs | 44g | |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 80mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 1307mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 765mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 991IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 498mg | 50% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.