Baked Ziti

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty and cheesy Baked Ziti recipe! Packed with layers of tender ziti pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, this classic Italian-American dish is baked to perfection under a blanket of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. With its robust blend of flavors from garlic, onions, basil, and Italian seasoning, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping. Ready in just over an hour, this baked pasta casserole serves 8 and delivers soul-soothing goodness in every bite. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish, and get ready to savor the taste of homemade comfort at its best!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil leaves
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.

Step 4

Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and fresh parsley. Mix well and set aside.

Step 7

In a large baking dish, spread half of the sauce mixture on the bottom. Layer with half of the cooked ziti, all of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step 8

Add the remaining ziti, top with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Step 9

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 11

Let the baked ziti sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3642.4 grams (3642.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6593

Total Fat 379.30g	486%
Saturated Fat 156.70g	783%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 1354mg	451%
Sodium 10760mg	468%
Total Carbohydrate 497.70g	181%
Dietary Fiber 50.90g	182%
Total Sugars 96.40g
Protein 336.30g	673%

Vitamin D 82IU	410%
Calcium 4388mg	338%
Iron 48mg	268%
Potassium 7048mg	150%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.6%

Protein: 19.9%

Carbs: 29.5%