Description
A crowd-pleasing mashup of baked ziti and pizza flavors, featuring ziti pasta baked with pepperoni, melted cheeses, and rich marinara sauce. This hearty casserole combines the best of both Italian-American classics for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti or penne pasta: Opt for high-quality pasta brands such as De Cecco or Barilla for the perfect al dente results.
- 1 tbsp olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a rich flavor.
- 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed (or 1 cup sliced pepperoni): I love the spicy Italian sausage for added flavor, but pepperoni is a fan-favorite, too!
- 2 cups marinara sauce: A premium store-bought marinara like Rao’s is an excellent choice or make your own for something extra special.
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: For that cheesy crust, go for whole milk mozzarella.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated, of course!
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and return to pot.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Add marinara sauce, cheese mixture, half the pepperoni, bell pepper, and olives to the pasta. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and arrange remaining pepperoni on top.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the top if desired.
- Let rest 5 minutes, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve.
Notes
- For meat lovers: Add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef
- Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking
- Freezer-friendly: Bake covered for 40 minutes, then uncover for final 10 minutes
- Kid-friendly version: Reduce spices and add extra cheese
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of dish
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 55mg