Best 13 Baked Ziti Recipe By Tasty Recipes

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**Baked Ziti: A Classic Italian Dish with a Twist**

Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is made with ziti pasta, tomato sauce, cheese, and other ingredients. It is a popular dish for potlucks, family gatherings, and weeknight dinners. This recipe from Tasty offers a unique twist on the traditional baked ziti recipe, using a combination of three different cheeses and a homemade tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes. The result is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. Along with the classic baked ziti recipe, this article also includes recipes for a vegetarian version, a one-pot version, and a slow-cooker version, making it easy to customize the dish to your dietary preferences and cooking style.

Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!

EASY ZITI BAKE



Easy Ziti Bake image

I enjoy making this baked ziti recipe for family and friends. It's easy to prepare, and I like to get creative with the sauce. Sometimes I might add my home-canned tomatoes, mushrooms or vegetables. -Elaine Anderson New Galilee, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces uncooked ziti or small tube pasta
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 large eggs, beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. , In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Drain pasta; add to cheese mixture and stir until blended., Spoon a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; top with half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining meat sauce., Cover and bake 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630 calories, Fat 30g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 878mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 45g protein.

CHICKEN PARMESAN BAKED ZITI RECIPE BY TASTY



Chicken Parmesan Baked Ziti Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: ziti pasta, chicken breasts, tomato sauce, mozarella, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, salt, pepper

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ziti pasta
2 chicken breasts
25 oz tomato sauce
2 cups mozarella
1 cup parmesan cheese
¼ cup fresh basil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Boil pasta for 10 minutes, then drain.
  • Dice chicken breasts and cook thoroughly. Add tomato sauce, then add cooked pasta and mix until the pasta is coated with sauce.
  • Pour half of the pasta into a greased 11x7-inch (27x17 cm) or 9x13 inch (22x33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with 1 cup (100 G) of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup (55 G) of parmesan, ⅛th cup of basil. Layer the remaining half of the pasta evenly on top. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese and basil.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, remove and sprinkle immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 594 calories, Carbohydrate 66 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 43 grams, Sugar 7 grams

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ziti
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella, grated
One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for sprinkling
2 eggs

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).
  • Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.
  • Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.
  • Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.

BAKED ZITI RECIPE BY TASTY



Baked Ziti Recipe by Tasty image

Supremely saucy and cheesy, baked ziti is a family favorite for a reason! Toss ziti or your favorite tube-shaped pasta with a quick homemade tomato sauce and ricotta-Parmesan mixture, then layer with more ricotta and mozzarella and bake until bubbling and delicious.

Provided by Betsy Carter

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

½ tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup tomato paste
1 can whole peeled tomato
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for boiling
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 package ziti or tubular pasta of choice
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, divided
2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
fresh basil, thinly sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish with the butter.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat the aromatics, until the tomato paste is deep brick-red, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the whole tomatoes and their juices, using a potato masher or your hands to crush them into the sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, 20 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of ricotta, the Parmesan, remaining teaspoon of salt, and remaining teaspoon of pepper to a medium bowl and stir to combine.
  • Reserve 2 cups of tomato sauce in a bowl, then add the ricotta-Parmesan mixture to the remaining tomato sauce in the pot and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • Add the drained pasta tomato-ricotta sauce and stir until well coated.
  • Add half of the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover with 1 cup of the reserved tomato sauce, ¾ cup of the mozzarella, and ½ cup of the remaining ricotta. Add the remaining pasta, then repeat with the remaining cup of tomato sauce, ¾ cup of mozzarella, and ½ cup of ricotta.
  • Bake until the mozzarella is golden brown and the tomato sauce is bubbling, 25-30 minutes.
  • Garnish with the basil before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 26 grams, Sugar 7 grams

ITALIAN BAKED ZITI



Italian Baked Ziti image

This comforting Italian dish has a from-scratch spaghetti sauce, ziti pasta and a generous combination of cheeses. You can easily double the recipe to serve a larger crowd.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-3/4 cups spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
6 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
8 ounces ziti or small tube pasta
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. , Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the pasta, a third of the meat sauce and half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and oregano. , Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 818mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 27g protein.

BAKED ZITI CASSEROLE



Baked Ziti Casserole image

With its rich Italian flavor and generous combination of cheeses, it's hard to believe this pasta entree is light. this simple, meatless baked ziti is made up of six ingredients. It's sure to become a favorite with your family.-Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 package (16 ounces) ziti or small tube pasta
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 jar (28 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the egg, ricotta and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. , Spread 1 cup spaghetti sauce in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with a third of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, 2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and 1 cup sauce. Repeat layers of pasta, ricotta mixture and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Top with remaining pasta, sauce mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. , Cover and bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 508mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SLOW-COOKER BAKED ZITI



Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti image

I don't know one family that doesn't have some crazy, hectic weeknights. This slow-cooker baked ziti recipe was a delicious, easy fix for a busy weeknight dinner for our family. -Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 container (15 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 jar (24 ounces) meatless pasta sauce
2 cups uncooked ziti
1/4 cup water
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, egg, basil, and if desired, red pepper flakes; set aside. Pour pasta sauce into a 5-qt. slow cooker. Evenly top sauce with pasta; pour water over top. Drop heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. , Cover; cook on high until heated through and pasta is tender, 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Top with fresh basil and if desired, Parmesan cheese and additional red pepper flakes; serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 calories, Fat 17g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 89mg cholesterol, Sodium 886mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

EASY AND TASTY BAKED ZITI



Easy and Tasty Baked Ziti image

This recipe is super simple and tastes fabulous!!! Recipe can be used as a base to which you can add 1 lb. of whatever you choose....like italian sausage, ground beef, ground pork, meatballs, pepperoni, mushrooms, etc.

Provided by Capncrunch

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 1 9x13 casserole dish, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 lb dried ziti pasta
4 cups spaghetti sauce (Ragu, Prego or Hunts)
16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
16 ounces shredded parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and transfer into an oiled 9x13 baking dish. Add spaghetti sauce and mozzarella, then stir/toss until well combined. Cover with Parmesan cheese, and bake until lightly browned and hot, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

5-INGREDIENT EASY BAKED ZITI



5-Ingredient Easy Baked Ziti image

Make and share this 5-Ingredient Easy Baked Ziti recipe from Food.com.

Provided by NancyB

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

16 -20 ounces pasta, cooked and drained (ziti, rigatoni or penne)
45 ounces spaghetti sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
4 cups cheese, shredded (Mozzarella or italian blend)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta and drain.
  • Mix pasta, spaghetti sauce, cooked ground beef, Parmesan cheese and 2 cups of Mozzarella cheese well.
  • Spread mixture in a 9 x13 baking dish.
  • Top with remaining 2 cups of grated Mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese on top has melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 830, Fat 36.4, SaturatedFat 18.5, Cholesterol 109.3, Sodium 1381.9, Carbohydrate 79.2, Fiber 5.4, Sugar 12.3, Protein 44

BAKED ZITI I



Baked Ziti I image

A lady I worked with brought this in one day, and it was a hit. Now it is the favorite of all my dinner guests. It's great for a covered dish dinner too. I have made this also without the meat, and it is well received.

Provided by Colleen B. Smith

Categories     Pasta and Noodles     Pasta by Shape Recipes     Ziti Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
1 ½ cups sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 578.2 calories, Carbohydrate 58.4 g, Cholesterol 71.3 mg, Fat 25.3 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 27.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.7 g, Sodium 913.6 mg, Sugar 14.3 g

THE BEST BAKED ZITI



The Best Baked Ziti image

I am half Italian, was raised eating the finest Italian-American cuisine, and have filmed almost 2000 recipe videos, so when you consider all of those facts, it seems incredible that I have never posted a video for baked ziti. Hopefully I make up for that long wait by posting what I think is the best version of it.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

¾ pound hot Italian sausage
¾ pound sweet Italian sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
2 (24 ounce) jars prepared marinara sauce
2 cups water
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 drizzle olive oil
1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Cut down the length of each sausage with a sharp knife. Remove and discard casings.
  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan set over high heat. Add sausages and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up with a spatula, until the sausage begins to brown, and the onion turns translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add oregano, thyme, and rosemary and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in marinara sauce. Pour 1 cup water into each jar to rinse out remaining sauce; add to the saucepan. Stir together and bring sauce to a simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Turn off heat and reserve until needed. Before using, skim any excess fat that rises to the surface.
  • While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 or 2 minutes less than the directions on the package call for, about 8 minutes. Drain well and transfer into a large mixing bowl.
  • Carefully add the meat sauce and stir until thoroughly combined. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large 9x15-inch or 9x13-inch casserole dish with a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to the prepared dish, then use a spatula to even out into a uniform layer. Top with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and then 1/2 of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese, being sure to distribute evenly. Top with the rest of the pasta and sauce mixture and give the pan a little shake to settle the sauce. Repeat the cheese application.
  • Bake in the center of the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the casserole is piping hot, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Top with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 627.1 calories, Carbohydrate 58.1 g, Cholesterol 71.8 mg, Fat 29.5 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 30.8 g, SaturatedFat 11.9 g, Sodium 1380.1 mg, Sugar 14.4 g

OVER-THE-TOP BAKED ZITI



Over-the-Top Baked Ziti image

I adapted a ziti recipe to remove ingredients my kids did not like, such as ground beef, garlic and onions. The revised recipe was a success not only with my family but at potlucks, too. It's so versatile: You can use jarred sauce, double or triple the recipe, and even freeze it. —Kimberley Pitman, Smyrna, Delaware Field Editor

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 cans (29 ounces each) tomato puree
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
ZITI:
1 package (16 ounces) ziti
1 large egg, beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Additional minced fresh parsley, optional

Steps:

  • In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 10 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours., Cook ziti according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper and 5 cups sauce. Drain ziti; stir into cheese mixture., Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour remaining sauce over the top; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with additional parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 499 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 826mg sodium, Carbohydrate 72g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

From Kalamazoo Michigan, Kim Neer makes this comforting Italian dish with a from-scratch spaghetti sauce, ziti pasta and a generous combination of cheeses.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 casseroles (12 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (28 ounces) reduced-sodium meatless spaghetti sauce
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
1 package (16 ounces) ziti or 16 ounces small tube pasta
1 carton (15 ounces) reduced-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, basil and 1 teaspoon oregano. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. , Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, egg substitute, salt and pepper., In two greased 13x9-in. baking dishes coated with cooking spray, spread 1 cup of meat sauce. In each dish, layer a fourth of the pasta, 1 cup meat sauce and a fourth of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers of pasta, sauce and cheese mixture. , Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and oregano. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 38mg cholesterol, Sodium 796mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, flavorful tomatoes, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella cheese will make a big difference in the final dish.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it al dente according to the package instructions so that it still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and won't hold its shape well in the casserole.
  • Use a large skillet to brown the sausage. This will help to prevent the sausage from clumping together and will allow it to brown evenly.
  • Add a touch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little bit of heat. If you don't like spicy food, you can omit this ingredient.
  • Don't skip the béchamel sauce. This creamy sauce adds richness and flavor to the casserole. If you're short on time, you can use a jarred Alfredo sauce instead.
  • Layer the casserole in a 9x13 inch baking dish. This will ensure that the casserole cooks evenly.
  • Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
  • Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the casserole to set.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a classic Italian-American casserole that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat, it's a hearty and satisfying dish that's perfect for a family dinner or potluck. Follow these tips to make the best baked ziti recipe: use high-quality ingredients, don't overcook the pasta, brown the sausage evenly, add a touch of heat to the sauce, don't skip the béchamel sauce, layer the casserole properly, bake it until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and let it rest before serving.

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