You could go to an Italian restaurant, order baked ziti, and spend way too much money. Or you could make this insanely good, cheesy, saucy baked ziti at home with Sturdy Marinara Sauce (aka your new secret ingredient). It’s easy, it’s impressive, and honestly, it might just ruin takeout for you.
And guess what? This baked ziti isn’t just comforting; it’s loaded with protein. Each serving packs 44g of protein and 658 calories, making it a meal that keeps you full and happy.
What You’ll Need
- 5 cups Sturdy Marinara Sauce
- 1 lb ziti pasta (penne works too)
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 5 cups Sturdy Marinara Sauce
- 10 fresh basil leaves, sliced
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
How to Make It
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Cook the pasta.
Bring a big pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt (yes, really—seasoned pasta = better flavor).
Add the pasta and cook just until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain, but don’t rinse (you want that starch to help the sauce stick).
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Make the meat sauce.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat as it browns.
Stir in minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute. Pour in 5 cups of Sturdy Marinara Sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in fresh basil for extra flavor.
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Mix it all together.
Add ricotta cheese to the meat sauce and give it a gentle stir (don’t overmix because you want pockets of creamy ricotta). Toss in the cooked pasta and gently mix until everything is coated in that saucy goodness.
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Assemble the baked Ziti.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread a ladle of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish (this prevents sticking).
Layer 1: Half of the saucy pasta.
Layer 2: Half of the shredded mozzarella.
Layer 3: Half of the Parmesan cheese.
Layer 4: The rest of the pasta.
Layer 5: More mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
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Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Want a golden, crispy top? Broil for 2 minutes. Just be sure to watch it closely.
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Lastly, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, sprinkle fresh basil on top for extra flavor and a fancy touch. Grab a spoon and dig in!
Baked This Ziti? Let’s See It!
Don’t keep that cheesy, saucy goodness to yourself. Snap a pic, tag us @sturdysauce on Instagram, and share the love.