Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a hit with family and friends. This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated, making it a great option for busy weeknights or entertaining. Ziti is a type of pasta that is similar to penne, and it is traditionally baked with a meat sauce and cheese. This dish can be easily customized to your liking – feel free to add in extra vegetables, change up the cheese, or use a different type of meat. Baked ziti is always best when served hot and fresh out of the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 ounces/700 grams) marinara sauce
- 1 pound (500 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (120 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- In a large pot, cook ziti pasta according to package instructions.
- In a separate pan, brown ground beef and then add in marinara sauce.
- Drain cooked pasta and mix it with the beef and marinara sauce.
- Pour pasta into a 9×13 inch baking dish and top with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
This dish can be easily customized to your liking – feel free to add in extra vegetables, change up the cheese, or use a different type of meat. Baked ziti is always best when served hot and fresh out of the oven.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many ways that you can change up this dish to suit your taste. Some possible changes and improvements include:
- Adding extra vegetables, such as mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers
- Using a different type of cheese, such as cheddar or provolone
- Swapping out the ground beef for ground turkey or sausage
- Adding in some spice with red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning
What other food it works well with
Baked ziti pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some good options include:
- A green salad
- Garlic bread
- Roasted vegetables
- A simple pasta salad
Common Mistakes
When making baked ziti, there are a few common mistakes that you should avoid:
- Not cooking the pasta long enough – be sure to cook it until it is al dente, or just shy of being fully cooked. This will ensure that it doesn’t turn mushy when baked.
- Overcooking the pasta – if the pasta is overcooked, it will turn out mushy and will not hold up well in the dish.
- Not draining the pasta – be sure to drain the cooked pasta well before adding it to the sauce. Otherwise, the dish will be watery.
- Not using enough sauce – be sure to use enough sauce to coat all of the pasta. Otherwise, the dish will be dry.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1/6 of recipe (about 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 610
Fat: 18 grams
Saturated fat: 7 grams
Unsaturated fat: 8 grams
Trans fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 55 milligrams
Sodium: 1370 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 78 grams
Fiber: 6 grams
Sugar: 10 grams
Protein: 26 grams
Allergens
This recipe contains the following allergens:
- Wheat
- Milk
- Eggs