Looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal? This Life-Changing Baked Ziti is a hearty dish perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or a cozy night in. Layered with a rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, this baked ziti recipe is bound to become your new go-to.
Ingredients:
1 lb ziti pasta
1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions:
Preheat Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Sausage:
In a large skillet, cook the crumbled Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, ½ cup of grated Parmesan, the egg, chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Layer the Ziti:
Spread a thin layer of the sausage marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add half of the cooked ziti over the sauce. Next, spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the ziti. Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the ricotta layer. Repeat the layering process with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
Top with Cheese:
Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a deliciously cheesy finish.
Bake:
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow the baked ziti to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips:
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Add a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley on top just before serving for a burst of color and flavor.
Pair with Sides: Complement the baked ziti with a crisp Caesar salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Individual Portions: Serve in smaller individual dishes for a personalized touch, especially for gatherings or special dinners.
Serve with Wine: A glass of red wine, such as Chianti or Sangiovese, pairs wonderfully with the rich, cheesy flavors of baked ziti.
Let it Rest: Allow the ziti to rest for about 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.
Storage Tips:
Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Freezing: Baked ziti freezes well. To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until the ziti is hot and the cheese is melted. If reheating from frozen, bake for about 45-60 minutes covered with foil, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese.
Portioning for Freezing: If you prefer, you can freeze individual portions by dividing the baked ziti into freezer-safe containers. This allows for quick and easy reheating on busy days.
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FAQs:
Can I make baked ziti ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the baked ziti up to 24 hours in advance. Simply cover it tightly with foil and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and then bake as directed. You may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Can I use a different type of pasta for baked ziti?
Absolutely! If you don’t have ziti on hand, you can substitute it with other short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or even rotini. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when baked.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version of baked ziti by omitting the Italian sausage and adding vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini. You can also use a plant-based sausage alternative to keep the dish hearty.
How do I prevent the ziti from drying out when reheating?
To prevent the baked ziti from drying out when reheating, cover it with foil and add a splash of water or marinara sauce before heating. This helps retain moisture and ensures the pasta stays creamy. You can reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through.
Conclusion:
This Life-Changing Baked Ziti is the epitome of comfort food. With its layers of savory sausage, creamy cheese, and rich marinara sauce, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe will become a favorite in your household. Enjoy the ultimate comfort food experience with every delicious bite!
📖 Recipe:
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Life-Changing Baked Ziti
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This Life-Changing Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, layered with ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this baked ziti recipe delivers cheesy, hearty goodness in every bite. A satisfying Italian dish that’s easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
1 lb ziti pasta
1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, egg, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Layer the bottom of the baking dish with a thin layer of sauce, half of the ziti, and half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
You can assemble the baked ziti ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
Keywords: baked ziti recipe, ultimate baked ziti, cheesy baked ziti, Italian comfort food, family dinner recipe, easy baked pasta
