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Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 135 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

A classic Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring tender ziti noodles smothered in a savory Italian sausage marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp parmesan cheese. This Cheesy Baked Ziti is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, combining comforting flavors with an easy-to-make casserole format.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 (1-pound) box ziti rigati (can substitute penne)
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Sauce and Meat Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheeses

  • 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for baking.
  2. Cook the Pasta: In a large stockpot, bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Stir in the ziti pasta and cook until just al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce and Meat: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Crumble in the Italian sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then return to heat.
  4. Add Sauce and Seasoning: Stir in the marinara sauce and dried Italian seasoning with the sausage and onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in the cooked pasta ensuring it is evenly coated with the sauce.
  5. Layer the Pasta and Cheese: Spoon half of the pasta and sauce into the prepared baking dish. Stir the ricotta cheese in its container until smooth, then dollop it evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle the grated parmesan and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Add Remaining Layers: Add the remaining pasta mixture as a second layer. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake the Ziti: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to set before serving. For a browned, toasted cheese top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Notes

  • For a browned and toasted cheese crust, bake without the aluminum foil cover during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • Use ziti rigati for better sauce clinging, but penne works well as a substitute.
  • Draining the sausage fat helps reduce grease in the final dish.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 690
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 2429mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 57g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 98mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/cheesy-baked-ziti-recipe/