Description
A delicious and hearty baked ziti dish served in a party pan, accompanied by crispy garlic bread, perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 jars (24 ounces each) marinara sauce
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 loaf of Italian bread
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef or sausage to the skillet, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the cooked ziti to the meat sauce mixture and stir until combined.
- Transfer the ziti mixture to a large baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- While the ziti is baking, prepare the garlic bread. Mix softened butter, garlic powder, and chopped parsley in a bowl.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture on the Italian bread and place it on a baking sheet.
- Bake the garlic bread in the oven for the last 10-15 minutes of the ziti baking time, until golden and crispy.
- Remove both the baked ziti and garlic bread from the oven. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the ziti for extra nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg