Ina Garten Baked Ziti is made with Italian sausage, onions, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This Barefoot Contessa Baked Ziti recipe creates a dinner that takes about 60 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
? Why You’ll Love This Baked Ziti Recipe:
- Easy Preparation: With straightforward steps, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all levels.
- Rich Flavor: The combination of Italian sausage, cheeses, and herbs creates a satisfying and indulgent taste.
- Family Favorite: This ziti is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it a go-to recipe for family meals.
? Ina Garten Baked Ziti Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1 small onion, diced
- 28 ounces pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 16 ounces ziti pasta, uncooked
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (divided)
? How To Make Ina Garten Baked Ziti
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- In a large skillet, cook the onion and crumbled Italian sausage over medium heat until the sausage is browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Italian seasoning, water, diced tomatoes, and pasta sauce to the skillet. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Meanwhile, cook the ziti pasta al dente in boiling salted water, then rinse and drain.
- In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Spread about 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of a buttered 9×13 inch baking pan. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce, top with the ricotta cheese mixture, then with half of the remaining sauce.
- Add the rest of the ziti, the remaining sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
? Recipe Tips
- Good Ingredients: Use good Italian sausage and cheese for the best taste.
- Cook Pasta Right: Make sure the ziti is cooked but still firm to stop it from getting soft in the oven.
- Cool Down: Wait a bit before serving the baked ziti so it sets well and tastes better.
- Make It Your Own: Put veggies like spinach or mushrooms in the sauce to make it healthier and tastier.
? What To Serve With Baked Ziti?
Serve Baked Ziti with stuffed mushrooms, cheese curds, onion rings, beef shanks, corned beef and cabbage, enchilads chicken, yellow rice, green beans, cheesy garlic bread, cheese marinara, roasted chicken, bruschetta, green pepper and tomato salad.
? How To Store Leftovers Baked Ziti?
- In The Fridge: Keep leftover baked ziti in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- In The Freezer: To freeze leftover baked ziti, place individual portions in freezer-safe containers or resealable bags for up to 3 months.
? How To Reheat Leftovers Baked Ziti?
- Oven: Reheat leftover baked ziti in a covered baking dish at 350°F for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stove: Warm leftover baked ziti in a skillet for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated.
- Microwave: Heat leftover baked ziti on medium in 5-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warmed.
FAQs
Is baked ziti easier than lasagna?
Yes, making baked ziti is usually easier and faster than lasagna because it needs less preparation and assembly.
Why is baked ziti dry?
Baked ziti might turn out dry if you don’t use enough sauce to cover the pasta well before you bake it.
Should you undercook ziti before baking?
Yes, you should cook the ziti a little bit less before baking. It will cook completely in the oven and won’t be too soft.
How do you know when baked ziti is done?
Baked ziti is ready when the top is golden brown, the cheese has melted, and the whole dish is hot.
Ina Garten Baked Ziti Nutrition Facts
- Calories 579
- Total Fat 19g
- Saturated Fat 9.1g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 82mg
- Sodium 1349mg
- Potassium 848.4mg
- Total Carbohydrates 71g
- Dietary Fiber 6.8g
- Sugars 11g
- Protein 29g
Try More Ina Garten Recipes:
- Ina Garten Mushroom Lasagna
- Ina Garten Seafood Lasagna
- Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Shells
- Ina Garten Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ina Garten Baked Ziti
Description
Ina Garten Baked Ziti is made with Italian sausage, onions, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, ziti pasta, ricotta cheese, parsley, egg, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. This Barefoot Contessa Baked Ziti recipe creates a dinner that takes about 60 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- In a large skillet, cook the onion and crumbled Italian sausage over medium heat until the sausage is browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Italian seasoning, water, diced tomatoes, and pasta sauce to the skillet. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Meanwhile, cook the ziti pasta al dente in boiling salted water, then rinse and drain.
- In a small bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Spread about 1 cup of the sauce on the bottom of a buttered 9×13 inch baking pan. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce, top with the ricotta cheese mixture, then with half of the remaining sauce.
- Add the rest of the ziti, the remaining sauce, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Good Ingredients: Use good Italian sausage and cheese for the best taste.
- Cook Pasta Right: Make sure the ziti is cooked but still firm to stop it from getting soft in the oven.
- Cool Down: Wait a bit before serving the baked ziti so it sets well and tastes better.
- Make It Your Own: Put veggies like spinach or mushrooms in the sauce to make it healthier and tastier.