Description
A comforting dish of baked ziti layered with rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella—a family favorite that brings everyone together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced onions until golden. Add minced garlic and continue cooking.
- Stir in marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with some mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the marinara sauce, half of the cooked ziti, and half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining sauce and cheeses on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until top is bubbly and golden.
- Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to add sautéed vegetables or protein based on your preference. Letting the dish rest after baking helps with serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: baked ziti, vegetarian, pasta, comfort food, family recipe