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Baked Ziti Dish

Perfectly Cheesy Baked Ziti

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4.5 from 170 reviews

Baked Ziti is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that combines layers of ziti, rich tomato sauce, and gooey cheese—perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz ziti pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until al dente. Drain.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent (about 5 minutes), then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  3. Add ground meat; cook until browned (7-10 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning; simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Mix ricotta with salt and pepper in a bowl.
  6. In a baking dish, layer half of the meat sauce, half of the ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

  • Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.
  • For a vegetarian version, simply skip the meat and include extra veggies.
  • Author: Sophie
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish (approximately 200g)
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg