Description
Baked ziti brings pure comfort straight from an Italian-American kitchen to your dinner table. Layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese create a hearty meal that delivers maximum satisfaction in every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Layer:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to precisely 375F (190C) to create the perfect baking environment for your ziti.
- Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain completely and set aside.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the cooked ziti into the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure every pasta piece gets coated.
- Take a baking dish and spread half of the ziti mixture across the bottom, creating an even layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the first layer, covering the pasta completely.
- Add the remaining ziti mixture on top of the cheese layer, creating a second substantial pasta layer.
- Top the dish with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ensuring full coverage.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 25-30 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can add a bright, fresh flavor to the final dish, so chop some up and sprinkle on top before serving.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular ziti pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure your marinara sauce is also gluten-free.
- Make this dish ahead of time by assembling everything and storing in the refrigerator, then bake when ready to serve – just add an extra 10-15 minutes to cooking time.
- To create a protein-packed variation, mix in cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, or plant-based crumbles during the sauce combination step.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg