Description
A comforting and cheesy dish layered with creamy ricotta, savory marinara, and melty mozzarella that warms the heart at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey (optional)
For Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- 2. Prepare Your Meat (if using): In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef or turkey until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer.
- 3. Mix the Cheese: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, garlic powder (if using), and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until well blended.
- 4. Layer It Up: In a baking dish, layer ingredients starting with meat sauce at the bottom. Add half of the cooked pasta, then half of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- 5. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- 6. Garnish & Serve: Allow to sit for five minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 220g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg