Zita

Indulge in the comforting layers of cheesy, savory goodness with this classic Ziti recipe—a hearty baked pasta dish perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings. Featuring tender ziti pasta baked to perfection with a rich marinara sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy ricotta-Parmesan blend, every bite is packed with flavor. Topped with melted mozzarella and golden Parmesan, this casserole-style masterpiece is as satisfying as it is easy to make. With just 20 minutes of prep time and customizable garnishes like fresh parsley, Ziti offers a perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. Whether you're feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this baked pasta delight will quickly become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 450 grams ziti pasta
• 950 milliliters marinara sauce
• 450 grams ricotta cheese
• 450 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
• 120 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 450 grams ground beef
• 1 medium (diced) yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (adjust to taste) pepper
• 2 tablespoons (chopped, optional for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain any excess fat.

Step 6

Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors, then remove from heat.

Step 7

In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Step 8

In the prepared baking dish, add a small amount of the marinara sauce mixture to coat the bottom of the dish.

Step 9

Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the marinara sauce, then spread half of the ricotta-Parmesan mixture over the pasta.

Step 10

Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by half of the marinara sauce mixture.

Step 11

Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese, finishing with the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 12

Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 13

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

Step 14

Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.

Step 15

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3031.7 grams (3031.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5800

Total Fat 310.60g	398%
Saturated Fat 148.50g	743%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1014mg	338%
Sodium 9395mg	408%
Total Carbohydrate 425.80g	155%
Dietary Fiber 34.50g	123%
Total Sugars 40.90g
Protein 352.90g	706%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 6634mg	510%
Iron 27mg	149%
Potassium 1797mg	38%

*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: 47.3%

Protein: 23.9%

Carbs: 28.8%