A comforting, restaurant-quality Italian-American pasta bake featuring tender chicken breast, al dente ziti, and a luscious blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheese. This hearty meal balances the acidity of marinara with creamy textures, making it a perfect, crowd-pleasing dinner solution for busy weeknights that requires minimal cleanup.
1 lb Ziti Pasta
2 cups Cooked Chicken Breast, cubed
24 oz Marinara Sauce
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti for two minutes less than package directions.
Drain the pasta completely.
Combine the cooked chicken, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning in a large mixing bowl.
Stir the cooked ziti into the sauce mixture until well coated.
Spread half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Dollop the ricotta cheese evenly over the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the ricotta.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes in the center of the oven.
Substitute penne if ziti is unavailable. Ensure your marinara sauce is high-quality for the best flavor profile. Covering with foil during the first part of the bake keeps the pasta moist.
Find it online: https://itisrecipes.com/chicken-baked-ziti/