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The Very Best Baked Ziti recipe in a white baking dish with a spoonful being scooped out and stretchy melty cheese
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5 from 14 votes

Baked Ziti Recipe

Super easy family dinner, this easy Baked Ziti recipe is layered like a lasagna for the BEST EVER Italian dinner ever made.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, sunday dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 10
Author: Kellie
Cost: $8

Equipment

  • 1 baking dish

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Italian sausage casings removed
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 4 ounces button mushrooms finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 pound ricotta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan Plus more for grating before serving
  • 1 pound ziti
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella cut into bite sized pieces

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Place a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the pot and cook to just al dente, approximately 7 minutes. Drain the pasta. Set aside.
  • Cook the sausage in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat breaking up into pieces with a fork until no longer pink. Transfer the sausage to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Drain off all but two tablespoons fat from the pan.
  • Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook the mixture until it turns a deep crimson color, approximately 2-3 minutes. Stir in the marinara and remove from the heat.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
  • Place the pasta in a large bowl and stir in 2 cups of the sauce.
  • Spread a bit of the sauce on the bottom of a 3 quart baking side and top with 1/3 of the pasta.
    Process shot of ziti layer in a white baking dish for baked ziti from thesuburbansoapbox.com
  • Spread 1/3 of the remaining sauce on top and then top with 1/2 the sausage and 1/2 the ricotta mixture.
    Sausage layer process shot in a white casserole dish for baked ziti from thesuburbansoapbox.com
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzarella and then repeat the layers beginning with the pasta.
    Process shot of cheese layer on top of sausage layer from baked ziti in a white baking dish from thesuburbansoapbox.com
  • Sprinkle the top layer with a bit more parmesan and place the baking dish on a sheet pan lined with foil (for easy clean up)
    Final layer of mozzarella on top of layered ziti recipe from thesuburbansoapbox.com
  • Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1156mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1235IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 446mg | Iron: 2.5mg