Description
A heartwarming comfort food classic that combines ziti pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheeses, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Ziti Pasta (or substitute with penne or rigatoni)
- 4 cups Marinara Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese (can substitute with cottage cheese)
- 3 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded (fresh mozzarella preferred)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (can use pecorino cheese)
- 1 large Egg (or flaxseed meal for vegan option)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (can substitute with garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, mix half of the marinara sauce with the cooked ziti until coated.
- In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom. Add half the ziti mixture, dollop half the ricotta mixture on top, and sprinkle one cup of mozzarella over it. Repeat with the remaining ziti, ricotta, and finish with the rest of the marinara sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
Leftover baked ziti can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: baked ziti, comfort food, Italian recipe, family meal, easy dinner