Go Back
–+ servings
Ricotta Baked Ziti in an oval casserole dish, topped with melted cheese and fresh basil.

Ricotta Baked Ziti

Close-up of a man with short hair and beard, wearing a gray t-shirt, indoors with natural lighting.Gavin Crisp
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine italian-american
Servings 10
Calories 468 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. dry ziti
  • 1 lb. sausage meat
  • 4 slices 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 Italian herbs
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • ½ cup fresh basil chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 8 oz. ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups Mozzarella shredded
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan finely shredded

Instructions
 

  • Boil the ziti in 2 quarts of salted water for 5 minutes until al dente. Drain the water then toss the cooked ziti in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.
    Boiling pasta in a large pot for delicious homemade Italian dishes. Perfect for pasta recipes and family dinners.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large heavy-based pot, drizzle the rest of the olive oil on MED-HIGH heat. Add the sausage meat and bacon to brown for 5–8 minutes.
    Browning sausage meat and bacon for Ricotta Baked Ziti in a pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots into the pot. Sauté for 5–8 minutes.
    Adding chopped onion, celery, and carrots to ground sausage and bacon in a pot for Ricotta Baked Ziti.
  • Pour in the marinara sauce, Italian herbs, fresh basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir. Turn down the heat and simmer for another 5 minutes then turn off the heat.
    Simmering the meat sauce for Ricotta Baked Ziti in a white pot.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, ricotta, half the mozzarella, and a pinch of salt and pepper together.
    Creamy homemade cheese sauce with chopped cheese, fresh celery and eggs on white background.
  • Pour the cooked ziti into the pot with the meat sauce then mix together.
    Mixing cooked ziti with meat sauce in a white pot for Ricotta Baked Ziti.
  • Pour half of the pasta and sauce into a 9" x 13" casserole dish. Spread half the egg and cheese mix all over. Layer on the rest of the pasta. Top with the rest of the egg and cheese mix and then sprinkle the other half of the mozzarella and the Parmesan.
    Adding the ricotta and egg mixture to Ricotta Baked Ziti in a baking dish.
  • Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
    Spreading the ricotta and cheese mixture over Ricotta Baked Ziti in a casserole dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 27gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 953mgFiber: 5g
Keyword Ricotta Baked Ziti
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!