The best-baked ziti has layers of cheesiness, tender noodles, and savory meat sauce — this easy-baked ziti recipe doesn’t disappoint! Baked Ziti pasta is a family favorite. When my kids hear the casserole dish being pulled out of the oven, I have suddenly become their new best friend! This dish is worth the extra effort it takes to make — it’s an Italian classic with a few special twists.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 28 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 16 ounces ziti
- 1 small onion
- 14 ounces tomatoes
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F
- Brown the ground sausage with the onion, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove any excess fat.
- Combine the Italian seasoning, water, tomatoes, and pasta sauce in a large mixing bowl. Simmer 10-15 minutes, or until sauce thickens.
- Meanwhile, cook the ziti until al dente in salted water. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- Combine ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese in a small mixing basin.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce (approximately 1 cup) on the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan. Half of the ziti, all of the ricotta, and half of the sauce are layered on top.
- Add the remaining ziti, sauce, and cheese on top.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
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