0 from 6 votes
Easy baked ziti
This super cheesy vegetarian baked ziti recipe with its extra creamy cheese layer is a delicious and easy family favorite for dinner.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 448 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 400 g (14oz) chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup stock / broth / water
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 sprig fresh basil (or use 1 teaspoon dried basil)
For the cheese cream
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated Mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
For the ziti
- 500 g (1lb) ziti / or other hollow pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- In a saucepan, saute the onion in a splash of olive oil until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes, stock, basil, sugar, salt and pepper then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and allow to cook for 7-10 minutes until the sauce has reduced slightly.
- While the sauce cooks, combine the ingredients for the cheese cream and set aside.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 7-8 minutes. The pasta should be very firm still as it will continue cooking in the oven. Reserve ½ cup cooking water then drain the pasta.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the tomato sauce and a few tablespoons of pasta cooking water. At this point the pasta needs to be quite wet and saucy.
- Transfer half of the pasta to a suitable baking dish. Dollop on the cheese mixture and top with the remaining pasta. Add the rest of the mozzarella cheese then cover with foil.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbling. Remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with basil (optional) and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
448kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
72g
(24%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
27mg
(9%)
Sodium
723mg
(30%)
Potassium
473mg
(14%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
379IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
266mg
(27%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 448
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 448kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 72g | 24% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 723mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 473mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 379IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 266mg | 27% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.