THE BEST BAKED ZITI EVER | Easy Pasta Casserole Recipe

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.

Boil pasta for about 11 minutes until al dente, following package directions.

Drain the pasta and set aside.

Cook chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat until translucent.

Add chopped garlic to the skillet and stir.

Squeeze sweet and hot italian sausages out of their casings into the skillet and break them up with a spatula.

Add ground beef to the skillet and break it up as well, cooking until halfway browned.

Add seasoning mix (onion powder, Larry seasoning salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper, dry oregano) to the meat and mix well, cooking until no pink remains.

Add marinara sauce to the skillet and mix well, ensuring it is very saucy.

Add 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 cup parsley, and fresh thyme to the sauce and mix well.

Cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer for about an hour.

After an hour, add the sauce to the cooked pasta and mix together.

Add 4 heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese to the pasta mixture for creaminess.

Spread half of the pasta mixture into a baking dish evenly.

Layer mozzarella cheese, some Parmesan cheese, and a little cheddar cheese on top.

Add the remaining pasta mixture to the baking dish and pat down to create a level surface.

Top with more mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Garnish with parsley for presentation (optional).

Bake in the oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes.

Let cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens