Baked ziti is a straightforward casserole that tastes such as you’ve been cooking all day, but it surely’s surprisingly fast.
Layers of tender ziti noodles with a meaty zesty Italian sausage sauce and a cream creamy ricotta cheese layer.
High all of it with a beneficiant serving to of mozzarella cheese and bake till bubbly!
![Baked Ziti is an easy weeknight pasta dish! Tender ziti noodles, a zesty meat sauce, and delicious creamy ricotta are layered in a casserole dish, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbly. #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner baked ziti in a bowl with a fork](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Easy-Baked-Ziti-SpendWithPennies-5.jpg)
- The flavors are just like a classic lasagna recipe, but it surely’s simpler to make.
- It has tons of zesty taste.
- Including Italian sausage makes a fast sauce style prefer it’s been cooking for hours.
- This ziti dish is ideal to make forward, and it reheats and freezes nicely.
![Baked Ziti is an easy weeknight meal. Tender ziti pasta with ricotta cheese and a zesty meat sauce is smothered in cheese and baked until bubbly. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a meal everyone will enjoy. #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner ingredients for baked ziti](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Easy-Baked-Ziti-SpendWithPennies-1-1.jpg)
Elements for Baked Ziti
Meat: Italian sausage provides nice taste to the sauce. Be happy to interchange it with floor beef (or floor turkey).
Sauce: This ought to be browned earlier than including to the casserole. Add extra seasonings, spices (and a few chili flakes for warmth), and a tablespoon of olive oil for taste. To make this dish vegetarian, use finely minced greens like mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini.
Pasta: I exploit ziti on this recipe nevertheless, penne, rigatoni, or different tube-shaped pasta can be utilized in place.
Cheese: – Ricotta cheese makes the creamy cheese layer on this recipe. Exchange it by mixing cottage cheese with an egg till easy. Be happy so as to add spinach or further herbs to the cheese combination.
Topping: – I sprinkle mozzarella cheese overtop for a browned bubbly topping. Simply earlier than serving, I really like so as to add freshly grated parmesan cheese and a few recent herbs like parsley or basil.
Variations
- Swap the sausage with turkey sausage or one other floor meat of your alternative. Add additional seasonings, salt, and a few cloves garlic if not utilizing sausage.
- Add 1/2 cup heavy cream to the simmering tomato sauce if desired.
- Extra recent herbs could be added to the cheese combination or on high earlier than serving.
![Baked Ziti is a delicious baked pasta recipe. Tender ziti noodles are layered with ricotta cheese and a zesty sausage meat sauce. It's all smothered in cheese and baked until bubbly. Don't forget the garlic bread to soak up all the extra sauce! #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner preparing baked ziti casserole](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Easy-Baked-Ziti-SpendWithPennies-2.jpg)
Easy methods to Make Baked Ziti
- Brown the sausage and onion (per the recipe under) in a big sauté pan. Add sauce substances and simmer.
- Prepare dinner the pasta in a big pot of salted water.
- Mix the cheese combination in a small bowl.
- In a greased casserole dish, layer sauce, ziti, and the ricotta combination.
- High with the remaining shredded mozzarella and bake.
![Baked Ziti is delicious comfort food with pasta, zesty meat sauce, & cheese! It's so easy to make, this casserole can be enjoyed during the week or for a big family gathering. Add a side salad and garlic bread, and dinner is served! #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner baked ziti casserole ready to go in the oven](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Easy-Baked-Ziti-SpendWithPennies-3.jpg)
Suggestions for a Nice Baked Ziti
- Use a big skillet for browning meat so the sauce can simmer in the identical pan.
- Prepare dinner the pasta al dente (agency) as it would proceed to prepare dinner because it bakes.
- To make baked ziti forward of time, put together as directed, cowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for as much as 48 hours. Take away it from the fridge a minimum of Half-hour earlier than baking, and add 10 to fifteen minutes of baking time.
- If desired, this pasta casserole could be divided into two 9-inch baking dishes, and half could be frozen. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and bake till scorching and bubbly.
![We love easy pasta casseroles for those busy weeknights. Baked Ziti is so flavorful with pasta, zesty meat sauce, and loads of melty cheese! It's even great for leftovers, enjoy it for lunch all week long. #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner baked ziti casserole in a white dish](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Easy-Baked-Ziti-SpendWithPennies-4.jpg)
Did you get pleasure from this Baked Ziti? Remember to depart a score and a remark under!
![cheesy Easy Baked Ziti on a plate](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1200-Easy-Baked-Ziti-2-SpendWithPennies-220x220.jpg)
Straightforward Baked Ziti
Baked ziti has layers of zesty meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and tender ziti noodles baked till golden. Serve with garlic bread and salad.
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13inch baking dish.
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In a big skillet, over medium-high warmth, brown the sausage and onion, breaking it up with a spoon till the sausage is pretty tremendous. Drain any fats.
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Add the pasta sauce, tomatoes, water, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 12 minutes or till thickened, stirring sometimes. Season with salt and pepper to style,
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In the meantime, boil ziti in a big pot of salted water till al dente. Drain nicely.
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In a small bowl, combine ricotta, egg, parsley, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
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Add 1 cup of sauce to the underside of the ready baking dish. Layer half of the ziti, high with the entire ricotta combination, and half of the sauce.
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Add remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and high with remaining mozzarella cheese.
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Bake uncovered for 25-Half-hour or till golden and bubbly.
½ teaspoon pink pepper flakes could be added to the sauce for somewhat kick should you’d like
To Put together Forward of Time: Put together as directed, storing the 1 cup of cheese for the topping in a separate container. Refrigerate, tightly coated, for as much as 48 hours or freeze for as much as 4 months. If frozen, thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Take away from the fridge a minimum of Half-hour earlier than baking. Bake for 25 minutes, add the cheese, and bake for an extra 20 to 25 minutes or till scorching and bubbly.
Energy: 598 | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 34g | Fats: 27g | Saturated Fats: 11g | Ldl cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1257mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 485mg | Iron: 3.6mg
Diet info supplied is an estimate and can fluctuate based mostly on cooking strategies and types of substances used.
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![Baked ziti is an easy weeknight meal. Tender ziti pasta with ricotta cheese and a zesty meat sauce is smothered in cheese and baked until bubbly. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a meal everyone will enjoy. #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner plated Easy Baked Ziti with parmesan and a title](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NP-Easy-Baked-Ziti-2-SpendWithPennies-.jpg)
![Baked ziti is a delicious baked pasta recipe. Tender ziti noodles are layered with ricotta cheese and a zesty sausage meat sauce. It's all smothered in cheese and baked until bubbly. Don't forget the garlic bread to soak up all the extra sauce! #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner Easy Baked Ziti in a casserole dish with writing](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Easy-Baked-Ziti-2-SpendWithPennies-2.jpg)
![Baked ziti is delicious comfort food with pasta, zesty meat sauce, & cheese! It's so easy to make, this casserole can be enjoyed during the week or for a big family gathering. Add a side salad and garlic bread, and dinner is served! #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner easy to make Easy Baked Ziti with writing](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Easy-Baked-Ziti-2-SpendWithPennies-3.jpg)
![We love easy pasta casseroles for those busy weeknights. Baked ziti is so flavorful with pasta, zesty meat sauce, and loads of melty cheese! It's even great for leftovers, enjoy it for lunch all week long. #spendwithpennies #bakedziti #bakedpasta #pastadinner Easy Baked Ziti in the casserole dish and plated with a title](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LP-Easy-Baked-Ziti-2-SpendWithPennies-.jpg)
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