Easy Baked Ziti
This classic Italian-American comfort food is the ultimate solution for busy weeknights. Featuring al dente tube-shaped pasta tossed in a robust marinara sauce and layered with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and salty parmesan, this one-pot style oven-baked meal is hearty, satisfying, and easy to assemble. It is a reliable, crowd-pleasing dish that creates a beautiful golden, bubbling crust while keeping the interior layers moist and perfectly seasoned.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 lb Ziti Pasta
24 oz Marinara Sauce
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 tsp Dried Oregano
0.5 tsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until it reaches a firm al dente state.
Drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Stir the mixture gently until every noodle is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread into an even layer.
Top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Notes
Penne pasta works as a great substitute for ziti. Ensure you undercook the pasta slightly during the boiling stage so it finishes perfectly in the oven. For best results, use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese instead of pre-bagged varieties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dish
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Find it online: https://itisrecipes.com/easy-baked-ziti/