Description
Baked Ziti is a comforting pasta dish featuring layers of ziti, rich marinara sauce, and creamy cheeses—a perfect choice for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook ziti until al dente (about 8-10 minutes), then drain.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with salt, pepper, and half of the herbs until smooth.
- In a baking dish, spread some marinara sauce at the bottom. Layer half the cooked ziti, dollops of the ricotta mixture, more marinara, and sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Repeat layering with remaining ziti, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and top with parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, incorporate vegetables like spinach or bell peppers into the layers.
- Substitute gluten-free pasta if needed for dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg