Baked Ziti with Hidden Ricotta : Creamy, Cheesy, and Protein-Packed
This Baked Ziti with Hidden Ricotta is the ultimate cozy dinner with a secret boost of nutrition. Creamy ricotta is blended into the sauce for extra protein and a rich, smooth texture — all without overpowering flavor. Each serving brings about 21 grams of protein, making this a feel-good, family-style meal that satisfies without going overboard. It’s everything you love about baked pasta, made just a little smarter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
1 lb ziti or penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: chopped parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook pasta until just shy of al dente (it will finish baking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook the ground meat until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Stir in ricotta cheese and half of the Parmesan into the sauce mixture. Let it warm through and blend in.
Combine pasta and sauce in a large bowl or directly in the baking dish. Mix to coat evenly.
Top with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Garnish with herbs before serving, if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 21g