Description
A hearty, crowd-pleasing Italian-American classic that brings comfort to your table. This recipe features tender ziti pasta tossed in a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, this dish is the perfect easy dinner for family gatherings or meal prep, ensuring a satisfying texture and deep, comforting flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
1 lb Ziti Pasta
24 oz Marinara Sauce
15 oz Whole milk Ricotta Cheese
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chiffonade
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until just before the al dente stage.
Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander.
Combine the ricotta, half the mozzarella, half the parmesan, and oregano in a large mixing bowl.
Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese mixture until evenly coated.
Spread one cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Top the pasta with the remaining marinara and the rest of the cheeses.
Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Penne can be used as an alternative to Ziti. Shred your mozzarella by hand for better melting. Undercooking the pasta slightly before baking ensures it stays firm and doesn’t get mushy in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg