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Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners and gatherings, combining tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz ziti pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Can use store-bought for convenience.
Cheese Mixture
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Plus extra for topping.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Assembly
  1. Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish.
  2. Layer half of the mozzarella cheese on top.
  3. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
  4. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Serve hot, great on its own or paired with a side salad or garlic bread. For a meatier version, add cooked ground beef, sausage, or turkey. Mix in some chopped vegetables for added flavor. You can switch pasta types or use white sauce/pesto instead of marinara for variation.