Description
A warm and filling baked pasta dish with tomato sauce, meat, and lots of melty cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup spinach or kale
- 1/2 cup bell peppers
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water, add ziti and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the marinara sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic and meat, cook until browned. Stir in mushrooms and peppers, then add marinara, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large bowl, mix drained pasta with most of the sauce and most of the mozzarella.
- Assemble the baked ziti: Grease a baking dish, layer half the pasta mix, then add a thin layer of sauce, top with remaining pasta, and finish with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake the ziti: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), bake for about 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and serve: Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
For a creamier bake, stir in a bit of cream or a soft cheese like mascarpone. This recipe can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg