How to Make Best Ziti Ever - A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to the ultimate comfort food recipe, the Best Ziti Ever! This classic Italian-American dish is a hearty and satisfying pasta bake that features ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese. Whether you're hosting a family dinner or looking for a cozy meal to indulge in on a chilly evening, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy. It's a great option for meal prepping, as it reheats beautifully, making it an ideal dish to enjoy for lunch or dinner through...

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Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 2 (24 ounce) jars marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil, divided
  • 12 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
  • 1 dash salt and pepper
  • 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat marinara with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
  • Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    696 cal.

    • Total Fat: 29g
    • Saturated Fat: 13g
    • Cholesterol: 75mg
    • Sodium: 1618mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 71g
    • Dietary Fiber: 6g
    • Total Sugars: 18g
    • Protein: 37g
    • Vitamin C: 4mg
    • Calcium: 627mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 891mg