Description
A comforting baked ziti dish that combines al dente pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a melty, cheesy topping, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of ziti pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) of marinara sauce
- 2 cups of ricotta cheese
- 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Combine ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well blended.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add marinara sauce and cheesy mixture; stir until the pasta is coated.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and top it with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
Feel free to substitute pasta or cheese based on your preferences. To lighten the dish, consider whole wheat pasta and low-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg