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baked ziti recipe
Tanya

Classic Baked Ziti 🍝

Rich, cheesy, and comforting baked ziti loaded with marinara sauce, Italian sausage, and three types of cheese. This hearty pasta dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and meal prep!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, main dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Pasta:
  • 1 pound 🍝 ziti pasta
  • 1 pound 🥩 Italian sausage
  • 1 🧅 large onion diced
  • 4 cloves 🧄 garlic minced
  • 2 🥫 jars marinara sauce 24 oz
  • 2 tsp 🌿 Italian seasoning
  • 🧂 Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Cheese Mixture:
  • 15 oz 🧀 ricotta cheese
  • 1 🥚 large egg
  • 2 cups 🧀 mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup 🧀 parmesan cheese grated
  • ¼ cup 🌿 fresh basil chopped
  • 2 tbsp 🌿 fresh parsley chopped
  • For Topping:
  • 1 cup 🧀 mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup 🧀 parmesan cheese
  • 🌿 Fresh basil for garnish

Equipment

  • 🍳 Large skillet
  • 🥘 Large pot for pasta
  • 🥘 9x13 baking dish
  • 🔪 Sharp knife
  • 🥄 Measuring cups/spoons
  • 🥣 Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  2. Cook ziti pasta al dente
  3. Brown sausage with onions and garlic
  4. Mix cheese mixture ingredients
  5. Layer: sauce, pasta, cheese mix, repeat
  6. Top with remaining cheese
  7. Bake covered 25 mins
  8. Uncover, bake 15-20 mins until golden

Notes

Recipe Notes:
🌟 Cook pasta al dente - it will continue cooking
🌟 Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving
🌟 Use whole milk cheese for best melting
🌟 Don't skip the egg in ricotta mixture
Storage Tips:
❄️ Refrigerate: 4-5 days
✅ Freeze: Up to 3 months
🔥 Reheat: Cover with foil, bake at 350°F
Pro Tips:
🔑 Reserve pasta water for sauce
🔑 Use quality marinara sauce
🔑 Drain sausage of excess fat
🔑 Let cheese come to room temperature
Variations:
🥩 Use ground beef instead of sausage
🥬 Add spinach or other vegetables
🌶️ Spicy version with red pepper flakes
🧀 Try different cheese combinations
Common Questions:
❓ Too dry? Add reserved pasta water
❓ Make ahead? Assemble, refrigerate, bake later
❓ No ricotta? Substitute cottage cheese
❓ Freezing? Freeze before baking
Perfect For:
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family dinners
🎉 Potlucks
🍽️ Meal prep
👥 Feeding a crowd
Serving Suggestions:
🥗 Garden salad
🥖 Garlic bread
🍷 Italian red wine
🌿 Extra fresh herbs
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