1. What ingredients do I need for a baked ziti recipe?

For a classic baked ziti recipe, you’ll need ziti pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, ground beef or sausage, Parmesan cheese, an egg, and seasonings like Italian herbs and garlic powder. Additionally, you can include vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for a twist.

2. How do I keep baked ziti creamy and not dry?

To keep your baked ziti creamy, ensure your sauce has enough moisture before layering. Furthermore, using whole milk ricotta or adding a splash of cream to the sauce can prevent dryness. Covering the dish with foil for most of the baking time also helps retain moisture.

3. Can I prepare baked ziti ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the baked ziti up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and bake when ready. Moreover, freezing is also an option—just bake directly from frozen, adding extra time to the cooking process.

4.What is the difference between baked ziti and lasagna?

Although both dishes feature pasta, cheese, and sauce, baked ziti uses tubular pasta, while lasagna is layered with flat sheets of pasta. Furthermore, lasagna typically includes more structured layers compared to the mixed layers in baked ziti.

5. How can I make baked ziti healthier?

For a lighter version, use whole wheat or chickpea pasta, low-fat cheese, and add plenty of vegetables. Additionally, reducing the amount of cheese or using a smaller portion of meat can lower the calorie count while maintaining great flavor.

Baked Ziti Recipe: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Description

This baked ziti recipe is the ultimate comfort food. With layers of cheesy pasta, hearty sauce, and gooey melted cheese, it’s perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ziti pasta
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions, slightly undercooking by 1-2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a skillet, cook the ground beef or sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat and stir in marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the prepared baking dish. Layer half the pasta, half the ricotta mixture, and half the mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with mozzarella on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving

Notes

For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.
Baked ziti can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: baked ziti recipe, cheesy pasta bake, Italian comfort food, family dinner ideas