Baked Ziti Recipe
This Baked Ziti recipe is a comforting classic that brings together creamy ricotta, tangy marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella in every bite. With just 30 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of baking, it’s an easy yet impressive meal that’s ideal for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ziti or Penne noodles 455 g
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 5 cloves minced garlic 1 heaping Tablespoon
- 1 onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 lb Italian sausage I’ve used Sweet Italian and Mild
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 28 oz tomato sauce 680 g
- 14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes undrained, 400 g
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil loosely packed
- 1 heaping cup ricotta cheese 280 g
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese 170 g
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese 60 g
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and lightly butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish. Set aside.
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions, cook al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and mix with two teaspoons of olive oil.
- Meanwhile, prepare your sauce. Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook until translucent (3-5 minutes). Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Add Italian sausage and cook, crumbling, until mostly browned. Once sausage is mostly browned, add Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, stirring and cooking until sausage is entirely browned.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in basil.
- Spread a small amount of pasta sauce (several spoonfuls, see image in the post or video for visual) on the bottom of prepared casserole dish.
- Layer the sauce with half of the noodles (if some have stuck together while sitting, they should be easy to break apart with your hands). Top with half of the remaining sauce and use a spoon to spread evenly over noodles.
- Dollop ricotta evenly over sauce. Top evenly with remaining noodles and then remaining sauce.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and grated parmesan. Spray a piece of foil lightly with cooking spray, cover ziti and bake for 15-20 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook another 5-10 minutes or until bubbly.
- Serve warm & enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 634kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 32gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 1576mgPotassium: 938mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 12.4mgCalcium: 370mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!