5.0 from 27 votes
Cheese Crusted Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a hearty, casserole-style dish featuring tender ziti noodles, spicy sausage, homemade sauce, and 4 different cheeses.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6
Calories: 771 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 8 oz Ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce separated
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage or sub ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp Italian Herbs
- 1/2 lb fresh mozzarella grated
- 2 medium eggs beaten
- 4 lices Provolone cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated, separated
- 1 cup ricotta cheese whipped
- Parsley for Garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a meatloaf baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook ziti pasta per package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add the oil and sauté the garlic. Add the sausage meat and brown, breaking it up with spoon to crumble. Sprinkle in the herbs, marinara sauce and reserved cooking liquid. Cook for 10 minutes on low. (See Note 1).
- In a small bowl whisk the two eggs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with 2 cups of bolognese sauce and 1/2 cup of Parmesan. Save remaining bolognese sauce for plating.
- Place half the ziti in a prepared meatloaf baking dish. Add a layer of the mozzarella cheese. Top with the rest of the ziti. Pour the beaten eggs over all and gently tap meatloaf pan on counter to distribute egg and help ziti to settle. Layer 4 slices of provolone on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake for 35 minutes, cheese should be golden brown.
- Let baked ziti cool in the refrigerator, preferably overnight. Using a kitchen knife, slice the baked ziti into 6 slab-sized servings.
- Gently press remaining finely grated parmesan cheese on each side of the the ziti slab. Heat oil in a skillet on medium high and carefully place the cheese encrusted ziti slab into the hot skillet. Cook it on each side, the cheese will start to melt and form a beautiful golden crunchy crust.
- Serve on a plate with remaining bolognese or marinara sauce topped with a spoonful of ricotta and fresh chopped Italian parsley.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If sausage meat is too chunky, pulse the sauce and sausage several times in a food processor after cooking and then use with cooked ziti pasta.
Nutrition Information
Calories
771kcal
(39%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
41g
(82%)
Fat
30g
(46%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
183mg
(61%)
Sodium
1787mg
(74%)
Potassium
779mg
(22%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1303IU
(26%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
631mg
(63%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 771
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 771kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 183mg | 61% |
| Sodium | 1787mg | 74% |
| Potassium | 779mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1303IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 631mg | 63% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.