Easy Baked Ziti

User Reviews

5.0

1,776 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    45 mins

  • Servings

    8 servings

  • Calories

    598 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Easy Baked Ziti

Baked ziti has layers of zesty meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and tender ziti noodles baked until golden. Serve with garlic bread and salad.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 28 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup water
  • 16 ounces ziti
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
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Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the sausage and onion, breaking it up with a spoon until the sausage is fairly fine. Drain any fat.
  3. Add the pasta sauce, tomatoes, water, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 12 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste,
  4. Meanwhile, boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
  5. In a small bowl, mix ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
  6. Add 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the ziti, top with all of the ricotta mixture, and half of the sauce.
  7. Add remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • If replacing the sausage with ground beef or turkey, add 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meat as it cooks.
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce for a little kick if you'd like
  • To Prepare Ahead of Time: Prepare as directed, storing the 1 cup of cheese for the topping in a separate container. Refrigerate, tightly covered, for up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 4 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight. 
  • Remove from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking. Bake for 25 minutes, add the cheese, and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 598 (30%) Carbohydrates 54g (18%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Cholesterol 97mg (32%) Sodium 1257mg (52%) Potassium 816mg (23%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 1005IU (20%) Vitamin C 15mg (17%) Calcium 485mg (49%) Iron 3.6mg (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 598 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 598 30%
Carbohydrates 54g 18%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 97mg 32%
Sodium 1257mg 52%
Potassium 816mg 17%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 1005IU 20%
Vitamin C 15mg 17%
Calcium 485mg 49%
Iron 3.6mg 20%

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

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1,776 reviews
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