Description
A comforting Italian-American classic, this Baked Ziti features tender tube pasta tossed in a robust, savory marinara sauce and layered with a creamy three-cheese blend. Featuring a signature stretch of mozzarella and the brightness of fresh basil, this oven-baked casserole is the perfect hearty meal for family dinners and gatherings. Simple to prepare and deeply satisfying, it remains a timeless favorite for any home cook looking to deliver authentic comfort food.
Ingredients
16 oz Ziti pasta
24 oz Marinara sauce
15 oz Whole milk ricotta cheese
3 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 large Egg
0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until just before al dente.
Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander and set aside to cool slightly.
Combine the ricotta, half of the parmesan, and the beaten egg in a medium bowl.
Spread one cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Mix the remaining sauce with the drained pasta until every noodle is evenly coated.
Layer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Dollop the ricotta mixture over the first layer of pasta and sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella.
Add the remaining pasta over the cheese layer, top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan, and bake for 35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
Substitute ziti with penne if unavailable. Shred mozzarella by hand for better melting. Par-cooking the pasta ensures the noodles absorb the sauce perfectly without becoming mushy during the bake.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg