Baked Ziti
Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American pasta casserole layered with ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for a family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add minced garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Mix cooked pasta with marinara sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, dollops of ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Add the remaining pasta, then top with remaining ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired before serving.
Notes
For a heartier dish, add cooked Italian sausage or sautéed vegetables before baking.
Find it online: https://grilldrip.com/baked-ziti-delicious-cheesy-main-dish/