Best Ever Baked Ziti Recipe
Baked Ziti is a savory, cheesy Italian classic that is worthy of dinner parties or a quick weeknight meal! Just make sure to make a big batch because it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Servings: 6
Calories: 681kcal
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 carrot peeled and diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 24 oz. jar favorite marinara sauce
- 12 oz dried ziti
For the cheese:
- 8 oz ricotta cheese whole
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
For the topping:
- 2 tbsp parsley freshly chopped
Instructions
- To make the sauce, in a large deep skillet set over medium heat, add the oil. Once hot, add the onion, celery and carrot. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add beef, season with salt and pepper. Break beef into smaller pieces and brown, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in red wine and let cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and marinara, mix until combine. Let simmer on low cooking the pasta.
- Place a large stockpot filled with water over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cook ziti for 6 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium deep baking dish, add half of the pasta. Spread 1/2 of the sauce over top, then 1/2 of the cheeses over top. Add remaining pasta over, then remaining sauce. Add remaining ricotta, parmesan, and sprinkle mozzarella over top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before garnishing with parsley.
Nutrition
Calories: 681kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2381IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 408mg | Iron: 3mg