Baked Ziti Recipe
This baked ziti recipe is perfect for beginners, delivering cheesy, saucy comfort in every bite. With simple ingredients and minimal steps, you’ll create a crowd-pleasing Italian casserole that’s ideal for family dinners or potlucks. Ready to enjoy a warm, hearty meal? Dive into this foolproof dish!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian ground sausage
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 15 oz (3 cans) each crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook ziti in salted water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Brown sausage in a deep skillet over medium-high heat; drain grease.
- Add garlic, cook 1 minute, then stir in tomatoes, seasoning, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Mix cooked ziti with sauce. Pour half into the dish, dollop with ricotta, then add remaining ziti.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake baked ziti uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes, sprinkle with basil, and serve.
Notes
For perfect baked ziti, don’t overcook pasta to avoid mushiness. Try a vegetarian variation by swapping sausage for diced zucchini and mushrooms for a lighter twist.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 520 kcal per serving
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 980mg