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+ servings

Baked Ziti

A comforting baked ziti with rich layers of pasta, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese, perfect for cozy nights and gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Meat
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef Can be substituted with turkey or meat substitute.
Cheese
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese More can be added for topping.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasoning
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil For browning the meat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Boil the ziti pasta according to package instructions until it's just al dente, drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, draining any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the marinara sauce along with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for a few minutes.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the drained ziti, ricotta cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
Assembly
  1. In a baking dish, start with a layer of the meat sauce, add half of your ziti mixture, and then more meat sauce.
  2. Repeat the layering process, finishing off with the remaining mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  2. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

Serve alongside a salad or garlic bread. For storage, let it cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to three days.

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