Description
This Three Cheese Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring perfectly cooked pasta baked with a creamy ricotta mixture, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan, all layered with rich marinara sauce. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing main course that delivers indulgent cheesy flavor with a golden bubbly topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the ziti later.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked, drained ziti and marinara sauce into the cheese mixture. Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and cheese blend.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with oil or butter. Transfer the pasta mixture into the dish spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld together and the cheese melt beneath the foil.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil carefully and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm for a hearty family meal.
Notes
- You can add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage for a heartier, meat-based version of this dish.
- For a lighter texture, substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or oregano in the sauce for extra flavor.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave, retaining their delicious cheesy goodness.
