Easy Baked Ziti
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
598 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Easy Baked Ziti
Description
Easy Baked Ziti features Italian sausage browned with onion and simmered in tomato and marinara sauce seasoned with Italian herbs. The sauce is simmered until slightly thickened to concentrate its flavors. Al dente ziti pasta is layered with the sauce and a mixture of ricotta cheese blended with egg, parsley, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
The final assembly includes a layer of sauce, half the ziti, all the ricotta cheese mixture, remaining pasta, and sauce topped with shredded mozzarella. Baking uncovered melts the cheese to a golden crust and heats the casserole through, melding flavors.
The casserole serves well as a hearty main dish at dinner. It delivers balanced textures of tender pasta with creamy cheese and savory sausage. Its assembly allows preparing in advance and baking when ready.
To prepare ahead, refrigerate before baking, separate the topping cheese, then bake when needed. Swapping the sausage for ground beef or turkey works with additional seasoning. Adding red pepper flakes to the sauce gives it a mild spice kick.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 28 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can, canned
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, fresh
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional, fresh, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13inch baking dish.
- 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.
- 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,
- Meanwhile, boil ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
- In a small bowl, mix ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- 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.
- Add remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- For ground beef or turkey, add garlic and Italian seasoning when cooking the meat.
- Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes to sauce for extra heat if desired.
- Prepare casserole ahead by assembling but refrigerating without topping cheese; add topping and bake before serving.
- Freeze leftovers up to 4 months; thaw in fridge overnight before baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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