Description
Life Changing Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, combining creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and hearty ziti pasta enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. This dish not only warms the soul but also brings family and friends together around the dinner table. Perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings, this baked ziti is easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your favorite vegetables or proteins, Life Changing Baked Ziti promises to impress with its delightful layers and satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound cooked Italian sausage (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook the ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with one cup of mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Combine cooked pasta with marinara sauce (reserve some for topping) in a large mixing bowl. Add sausage if using and fold in the ricotta mixture.
- Layer half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish, followed by more marinara sauce and remaining cheeses. Top with the rest of the pasta mixture and finish with another layer of sauce and cheeses.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg