Description
Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pasta with a rich blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection. This dish brings warmth and joy, making it perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknights. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, you’ll create a delicious casserole that everyone will love. Get ready to experience cheesy goodness in every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 15 oz ricotta cheese (whole milk)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil.
- Layer half of the marinara in the baking dish, add half of the ziti, then the ricotta mixture, followed by more marinara and remaining ziti.
- Top with leftover marinara and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 55mg