Zesty Italian Baked Ziti
This Zesty Italian Baked Ziti is a bold, comforting classic with a spicy twist. Layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy ricotta are baked to perfection under a bubbling blanket of mozzarella and parmesan. The combination of spicy sausage, aromatic fennel, and garlic-infused marinara gives it a deep, savory flavor that’s anything but ordinary. It’s the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with warmth and the table with smiles—perfect for feeding a crowd or savoring leftovers all week. Whether you're craving something cozy or hosting a casual dinner, this baked ziti delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Casserole Dish Ideally a standard 9x13
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti noodles
- 1 lb 80/20 Beef
- 1/2 lb Spicy Sausage
- 1 Onion diced
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 12 oz Ricotta cheese
- 6 oz mozzarella
- 6 oz Shredded Parmesan
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 Egg Beaten
- 2 Jars of Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Boil noodles until al dente
- Saute onions and garlic
- Brown the meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and spicy sausage with diced onion until browned. Add garlic and fennel seeds; cook until fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce and dried basil. Simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Mix the ricotta filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, beaten egg, half the parmesan, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add egg and basil and mix
- Add noodles to the ricotta mix
- Layer the dish: Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the pasta, then dollop ricotta mixture over it. Add half the meat sauce, sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat layers.
- Noodles mixture, meat mixture mozzarella and parmesan repeat until dish is full and top with remaining cheese
- Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.