- jasminasmith98
- May 19
- 1 min read
Baked Ziti
1
Reducing Fat
Using ground turkey instead of beef will reduce total fat and saturated fat.
2
Reducing Calories
Skipping ricotta or using part-skim cheese will also lower calories and fat.
3
Reducing Sodium
Sodium can vary widely depending on the marinara brand—look for low-sodium options if needed.
Notes
1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just under al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package). Drain and set aside.
3
Sauté the meat:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add ground beef or turkey. Cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
4
Add sauce & simmer: Stir in marinara, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
5
Assemble:
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with half the meat sauce.
Spread half of this mixture into the baking dish.
Dollop ricotta (if using) over pasta. Sprinkle half the mozzarella.
Add remaining pasta and sauce. Top with rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
6
Bake:
Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes.
Uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
7
Cool slightly, then serve!
Garnish with basil or parsley if you’d like.
Instructions
12 oz ziti or penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade
1/2 cup water or pasta cooking water
1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese optional for creamy texture
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
optional garnish chopped basil or parsley
Baked Ziti
Magic Hour Ziti
Foodie
Jasmin Smith
This easy baked ziti is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish made with layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and melty cheese.
Servings :
6 Servings
Calories:
450–500 Calories / Serve
Prep Time
20 min
Cooking Time
35 min
Rest Time
5-10 min
Total Time
1 hour
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