Zesty Ziti Bake

Get ready to elevate pasta night with this irresistible Zesty Ziti Bake, a hearty and flavorful casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week. This comforting Italian-inspired dish combines tender ziti pasta, savory ground Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce infused with a subtle kick from crushed red pepper flakes. Layers of creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and nutty Parmesan cheeses add indulgent decadence, while fresh basil brings a burst of aromatic freshness. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this dish is easy to assemble yet impressive enough for dinner parties. With just 15 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes in the oven, this baked pasta recipe will quickly become a cherished family favorite. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this ziti bake pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz ziti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 units garlic cloves, minced
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 0.5 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Mix well.

Step 7

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce mixture over the bottom of the dish.

Step 8

Add half of the cooked ziti pasta to the baking dish, then spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta. Top with half of the remaining marinara sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the dish.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 11

Let the Zesty Ziti Bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2353.5 grams (2353.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4914

Total Fat 260.60g	334%
Saturated Fat 107.70g	539%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 713mg	238%
Sodium 9739mg	423%
Total Carbohydrate 409.20g	149%
Dietary Fiber 33.60g	120%
Total Sugars 35.10g
Protein 250.60g	501%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3895mg	300%
Iron 27mg	147%
Potassium 1889mg	40%

*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: 47.1%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 32.8%