Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce is a hearty Italian-American pasta dish featuring ziti tubes tossed with a rich meat-based tomato sauce, often combined with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, then baked until bubbly and golden. It typically includes ground beef or Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and a blend of Italian herbs. This comforting casserole-style meal is a staple in Italian-American cuisine, particularly popular in the northeastern United States.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates from the pasta and protein from the meat and cheese, with a significant amount of fat from the cheeses and meat. It provides key nutrients like iron, calcium, and B vitamins, and a typical serving contains roughly 500-700 calories depending on portion size and ingredients.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Calcium | 200 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.5 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Zinc | 3 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Baked Ziti represents the hearty, family-style cooking traditions of Italian immigrants adapting to American ingredients. Nutritionally, it's a complete meal in one dish, offering a balance of macronutrients that makes it a popular choice for gatherings and comfort food.
