Description
This comforting and hearty baked ziti is the perfect crowd-pleaser for any family dinner. Featuring tender ziti pasta tossed in a rich, savory beef and turkey bacon marinara sauce, it is then layered with a velvet-smooth mixture of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Baked to bubbling perfection, this dish offers deep flavors and a satisfying texture that is ideal for weekend meal prep or hosting guests.
Ingredients
1 lb dry ziti pasta
1 lb beef or turkey sausage meat
4 slices turkey bacon, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sticks celery, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
1 tbsp dried Italian herbs
3 cups high-quality marinara sauce
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz creamy ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella, shredded
2 large eggs
1/4 cup Parmesan, finely shredded
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Boil the ziti in salted water for five minutes until al dente, drain, and toss with one tablespoon of olive oil.
In a large heavy-based pot, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat and brown the sausage meat and diced turkey bacon.
Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots, sautéing for 5 to 8 minutes until softened.
Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian herbs, fresh basil, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, ricotta, half of the shredded mozzarella, and a pinch of salt.
Combine the cooked pasta with the meat sauce and layer into a baking dish with the ricotta mixture.
Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan, then bake for 30 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Notes
This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded. You can easily add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the sauce to increase the fiber content. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American