Description
A baked pasta dish combining ziti, sauce, cheese, and pizza toppings, baked until bubbly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and garlic powder into the meat mixture. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- In the large baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the ricotta mixture and the remaining meat sauce. Mix gently to coat the pasta.
- Spread the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and black olives over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly browned.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for the beef or sausage.
- Use your favorite pizza sauce instead of marinara for a different flavor profile.
- Add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the olives for extra vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 75
Keywords: baked ziti, pizza casserole, pasta bake, ziti recipe, cheesy pasta