Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti

Get ready to elevate your pasta night with this comforting and crowd-pleasing Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti! This easy baked ziti recipe combines tender ziti pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a rich marinara sauce, all layered with a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. The dish is beautifully seasoned with dried basil, oregano, and a hint of garlic for that classic Italian flavor. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection in just under an hour, this ziti casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Serve it with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal everyone will love. For a hearty, cheesy pasta bake that feels like a warm hug, this Zippity Do Dah Baked Ziti will not disappoint!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon 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 ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage mixture. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss until evenly coated.

Step 9

Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the sausage marinara sauce over the pasta and spread it evenly.

Step 10

Repeat with the remaining pasta mixture and marinara sauce, spreading the layers evenly.

Step 11

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of the dish.

Step 12

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden.

Step 14

Allow the baked ziti to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2292.9 grams (2292.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4714

Total Fat 248.30g	318%
Saturated Fat 99.50g	497%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 689mg	230%
Sodium 8932mg	388%
Total Carbohydrate 411.90g	150%
Dietary Fiber 33.30g	119%
Total Sugars 40.80g
Protein 225.30g	451%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3409mg	262%
Iron 26mg	146%
Potassium 1992mg	42%

*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: 46.7%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 34.4%