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Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a comforting dish featuring layers of ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and gooey cheese, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Divided
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat and Seasoning
  • 1 pound Italian sausage Can substitute with ground turkey
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
  • Fresh basil For garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain.
  3. In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage over medium heat until fully cooked.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked ziti, browned sausage, ricotta cheese, marinara sauce, and half of the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper.
Baking
  1. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
Serving
  1. Garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.