Baked Ziti (Easy Pasta Casserole) VIDEO
Baked Ziti is an easy, saucy, and cheesy pasta casserole. It has all of the great flavors of Lasagna but is simple to prepare and serve as a pasta bake.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta, or penne pasta or gluten-free pasta
- 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz fresh ricotta
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain (do not overcook as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven).
- In a deep pan or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef with a spatula, until beef is fully cooked through and onions are softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and sauteé for another minute. Add 5 cups marinara sauce, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking for 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
- Spread a ladle of meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Add chopped basil and spoon in ricotta into the remaining sauce Add cooked pasta and stir just until noodles are coated (you want to keep that ricotta texture)
- Transfer half of the pasta to the casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the shredded mozzarella and 1/2 of the grated parmesan. Add the remaining pasta and top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Clear the edges of the pan so the cheese doesn’t burn onto the dish. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese. Let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with basil if desired and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Baked Ziti (Easy Pasta Casserole) VIDEO
Amount per Serving
Calories
469
% Daily Value*
Fat
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
10
g
63
%
Cholesterol
80
mg
27
%
Sodium
1307
mg
57
%
Potassium
765
mg
22
%
Carbohydrates
44
g
15
%
Fiber
4
g
17
%
Sugar
7
g
8
%
Protein
34
g
68
%
Vitamin A
991
IU
20
%
Vitamin C
10
mg
12
%
Calcium
498
mg
50
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
