Description
Discover the Best Baked Ziti, an easy Italian casserole that blends al dente ziti, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and savory smoked beef for a hearty family dinner. This crowd‑pleasing recipe features melted mozzarella and Parmesan, delivering a golden, bubbly top that signals perfection. Ideal for weeknight meals or gatherings, the dish offers comforting flavor layers, simple preparation, and a satisfyingly cheesy finish that will keep everyone coming back for more. Serve hot with extra cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 pound smoked beef, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta until al dente; drain.
- In a bowl combine marinara, ricotta, smoked beef, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Toss cooked ziti with sauce mixture.
- Layer half the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish, sprinkle half the mozzarella, repeat layers, top with Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool 5‑10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a marinara with fresh basil and garlic. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat. The dish freezes well
- store in an airtight container and reheat in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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