Description
Ziti al Forno is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, and layers of gooey cheese. This baked dish brings warmth to any gathering, enveloping your taste buds in a symphony of flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, Ziti al Forno is sure to impress family and friends alike. With every bite, you’ll experience a delightful balance of cheesy goodness and savory meat sauce that will leave everyone craving more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Gather all items and measure accordingly.
- Cook the ziti: Boil salted water in a large pot, add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the meat: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned (5-7 minutes).
- Add sauce: Stir in marinara sauce along with garlic powder and onion powder; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Create the cheese mixture: In a bowl, blend ricotta cheese with half of the mozzarella and parmesan until smooth.
- Assemble: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer half of the ziti in a baking dish, followed by half of the meat sauce and dollops of cheese mixture; repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Bake: Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan, then bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (220g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg