Description
Cheesy bacon ranch ziti bake delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Packed with crispy bacon, creamy ranch, and melted cheese, this hearty pasta dish guarantees smiles and second helpings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 lb cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cheese and Dairy:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook 1 lb ziti pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Crisp 1 lb bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Whisk 1 cup ranch dressing, ½ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon dried parsley in a separate bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the ranch mixture over your pasta and fold in the crumbled bacon until every noodle is generously coated.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top, covering the entire surface.
- Bake for 22 minutes until the cheese melts completely and turns slightly golden at the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Drain ziti completely to prevent a watery sauce and ensure the ranch dressing coats each noodle perfectly.
- Crisp bacon beforehand for maximum flavor and satisfying crunch, and save a few pieces to sprinkle on top before serving.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat ingredients with Greek yogurt, low-fat ranch, and turkey bacon to reduce calories without losing taste.
- Make this dish vegetarian by replacing bacon with roasted mushrooms or crispy chickpeas for a protein-packed alternative that delivers similar savory notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 743 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg