Best 6 Deliciously Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipes

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Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is cheesy, hearty, and perfect for a crowd. With layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce, it's a comfort food favorite that can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like your ziti with a simple tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce, there's a recipe out there for you. So grab your apron and preheat your oven, because it's time to make some deliciously cheesy baked ziti!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED ZITI



Baked Ziti image

The best part about this recipe is that you can substitute any ground meat that you want. And add some extra veggies like broccoli, cauliflower or kale.

Provided by Diane

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb. Ziti pasta (, or penne, macaroni or rotini pasta, cooked al dente to package instructions)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic (, minced or crushed)
1 onion (, diced)
1 lb. ground uncooked sausage
26 oz. pasta/marinara sauce (, about 3 cups(or more if you like lots of sauce))
1 teaspoon Italian seasonings ( or dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme))
Kosher salt (, to taste)
Fresh cracked black pepper (, to taste)
15 oz. Ricotta Cheese
1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese (, shredded (about 2 cups))
1/4 lb. grated parmesan cheese ((about 1 cup))
(optional) extra minced parsley for garnish or fresh minced basil

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish. Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions.
  • Heat large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add garlic and onions and cook until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sausage and cook for about 5 minutes or until meat is brown and cooked through. Remove from heat and add pasta sauce, dried herbs, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is combined well.
  • Add all the pasta into the meat sauce and stir to combine.
  • Add half the meat/pasta mixture in the baking dish. Spread evenly into a single layer. Then add half the ricotta cheese on top dotted across. Add half of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese mixture in single layer.
  • Pour the remaining meat/pasta mixture on top and spread it into an even layer on top of the casserole. Add remaining ricotta cheese, mozzarella and parmesan mixture evenly across.
  • Loosely tent the casserole with foil. Don't let the foil touch the cheese or it will stick to the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  • Allow casserole to cool about 5 minutes before serving. (optional) Top with minced parsley or minced basil. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 534 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Protein 28 g, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Cholesterol 82 mg, Sodium 1029 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, ServingSize 1 serving

DELICIOUSLY CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Deliciously Cheesy Baked Ziti image

Make and share this Deliciously Cheesy Baked Ziti recipe from Food.com.

Provided by S in PA

Categories     Pork

Time 50m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ziti pasta, cooked al dente
1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and chopped
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons parsley
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Cook ziti according to package directions; drain; set aside.
  • Mix ricotta, egg, parsley, 1-1/2 cups of the mozarella cheese, and parmesan cheese in a large bowl.
  • Mix cooked sausage and pasta in with ricotta mixture.
  • Mix in 3/4 jar of sauce.
  • Transfer mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish.
  • Top with the rest of the sauce and mozarella cheese.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
  • To freeze: Cover dish with foil and freeze. When frozen you can pop it out of the container and put in a freezer bag if desired.
  • To heat: Thaw. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes more.

SUPER CHEESY BAKED ZITI



Super Cheesy Baked Ziti image

The best baked ziti recipe for those who like it very cheesy and flavorful!

Provided by Baby Bunny

Time 50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce (such as Ragu®)
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cubed
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried parsley

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
  • Combine 4 cups mozzarella, pasta sauce, ricotta, cream cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add cooked ziti and mix well to coat. Transfer to a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over top, along with parsley. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until thoroughly heated and cheese on top is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 456.9 calories, Carbohydrate 40.9 g, Cholesterol 69.9 mg, Fat 20.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 25.8 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 797.9 mg, Sugar 7 g

CREAMY BAKED ZITI



Creamy Baked Ziti image

Ziti pasta bakes with layers of creamy tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese in an easy and comforting dish that's ready in less than an hour.

Provided by Kraft

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cups ziti pasta, uncooked
1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
6 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
¾ cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 (8 ounce) package KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
⅓ cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt. Remove from pan; drain. Meanwhile, add marinara sauce, tomatoes and cream cheese to same pan; cook on medium heat 5 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Return pasta to pan; mix well.
  • Layer half the pasta mixture in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with layers of sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella and remaining pasta mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Bake 20 min. or until heated through.

DELICIOUS BAKED ZITI!



DELICIOUS baked ziti! image

My mom's recipe, it is LOVED by all! You can also add browned hamburger to the sauce to make it meatier!

Provided by ChipotleChick

Categories     Pork

Time 1h10m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 box ziti pasta
1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 can mushroom
1 1/2 jars pasta sauce
4 hot Italian sausages or 4 mild Italian sausages, cooked and sliced

Steps:

  • Simmer the pasta sauce and sausage in a small saucepan on the lowest heat possible for simmering.
  • In the meantime, cook the pasta according to package directions.
  • While pasta is cooking, whip together ricotta, mushroom, egg, and parsley in a medium bowl.
  • When pasta is done, drain.
  • In a 9 by 9-ish deep casserole, spread about 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce/sausage mixture.
  • Layer on half of the ziti.
  • Put about 5 or 6 evenly spaced spoonfulls of ricotta on top of the ziti.
  • put on half remaining sauce.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella on the sauce.
  • Layer on remaining ziti.
  • Put remaining ricotta on as directed above.
  • Put on the rest of the sauce, and top off with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, or until cheese is browned and casserole is heated through.
  • Let stand a few minutes before serving, if you can!

BAKED ZITI RECIPE BY TASTY



Baked Ziti Recipe by Tasty image

Supremely saucy and cheesy, baked ziti is a family favorite for a reason! Toss ziti or your favorite tube-shaped pasta with a quick homemade tomato sauce and ricotta-Parmesan mixture, then layer with more ricotta and mozzarella and bake until bubbling and delicious.

Provided by Betsy Carter

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

½ tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium yellow onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup tomato paste
1 can whole peeled tomato
3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for boiling
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 package ziti or tubular pasta of choice
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, divided
2 cups grated parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
fresh basil, thinly sliced, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200°C). Grease a 3-quart baking dish with the butter.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat the aromatics, until the tomato paste is deep brick-red, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the whole tomatoes and their juices, using a potato masher or your hands to crush them into the sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, 20 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of ricotta, the Parmesan, remaining teaspoon of salt, and remaining teaspoon of pepper to a medium bowl and stir to combine.
  • Reserve 2 cups of tomato sauce in a bowl, then add the ricotta-Parmesan mixture to the remaining tomato sauce in the pot and stir to combine.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • Add the drained pasta tomato-ricotta sauce and stir until well coated.
  • Add half of the pasta to the prepared baking dish. Cover with 1 cup of the reserved tomato sauce, ¾ cup of the mozzarella, and ½ cup of the remaining ricotta. Add the remaining pasta, then repeat with the remaining cup of tomato sauce, ¾ cup of mozzarella, and ½ cup of ricotta.
  • Bake until the mozzarella is golden brown and the tomato sauce is bubbling, 25-30 minutes.
  • Garnish with the basil before serving.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399 calories, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 26 grams, Sugar 7 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the baked ziti will be. Use fresh, flavorful tomatoes, a good quality cheese, and a hearty pasta.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the baked ziti.
  • Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is the key to a great baked ziti. Use a sauce that is rich, flavorful, and has a good balance of acidity and sweetness.
  • Layer the ingredients properly: When assembling the baked ziti, layer the ingredients in the following order: sauce, pasta, cheese, sauce, and so on. This will ensure that the ziti is evenly cooked and that the cheese is melted and gooey.
  • Bake the ziti until it is bubbly and golden brown: The ziti should be baked until it is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown. This will take about 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Baked ziti is a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its rich, flavorful sauce, hearty pasta, and melted cheese, baked ziti is the perfect comfort food. By following these tips, you can make a delicious baked ziti that your family and friends will love.

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