Description
A comforting and hearty baked pasta dish layered with ziti, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil and parsley, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: sautéed mushrooms or spinach
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in boiling salted water until al dente.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic and onion until translucent.
- Add marinara sauce to the skillet and simmer for a few minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and herbs.
- In a greased baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with Parmesan, and then layer the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let rest for a few minutes, then serve garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
Allowing the Baked Ziti to rest after baking helps set the layers and makes serving easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Pasta, Italian, Comfort Food, Family Recipe