Baked ZITI Recipe - Easy PASTA CASSEROLE

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while provolone can be more affordable.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

Cook ziti pasta in well salted water according to package instructions until al dente, adding about 2 tablespoons of salt to the water.

Chop one medium onion and mince two large garlic cloves.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat.

Add 1 pound of ground beef and the chopped onion to the pot, cooking until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Add minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, sautéing for another minute until fragrant.

Add 5 cups of marinara sauce to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes before turning off the heat.

Drain the cooked pasta into a colander without rinsing it.

Spread a generous ladle of meat sauce over the bottom of a 9 by 13 casserole dish to prevent sticking.

Add 10 fresh basil leaves, sliced, to the meat sauce for extra flavor.

Spoon 15 ounces of ricotta cheese over the meat sauce and gently stir until lightly combined.

Add the drained hot pasta into the meat sauce and stir gently until combined, ensuring all noodles are coated in sauce.

Transfer half of the saucy pasta to the casserole dish and spread evenly.

Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese.

Add the second half of the pasta to the casserole dish and spread evenly.

Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling at the edges.

Broil for a couple of minutes to create a golden brown crust on top.

Let the baked ziti rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens