How to Make Baked Ziti Casserole - A Step-by-Step Guide

Baked ziti casserole is a classic Italian-American comfort food dish that is perfect for a cozy night in with family or friends. This hearty and flavorful dish is a crowd-pleaser, featuring layers of ziti pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese, all baked to perfection in the oven.

The key to a delicious baked ziti casserole is using high-quality ingredients and taking the time to layer the components properly. This dish is ideal for a casual weeknight dinner, a potluck or gatheri...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package ziti
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 2 cups tomato sauce, divided
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti in boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 13 minutes; drain. Rinse ziti with cold water until cool; drain.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Mix ziti, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour ziti mixture into the dish. Top with remaining 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven until sauce and cheese layer is bubbly and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
  • Nutrition

    415 cal.

    • Total Fat: 12g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 60mg
    • Sodium: 1141mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 53g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 6g
    • Protein: 24g
    • Vitamin C: 8mg
    • Calcium: 420mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 521mg