Description
Cheesy Baked Ziti with Ricotta is a comforting Italian-inspired baked pasta dish featuring tender ziti pasta tossed in a flavorful marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan cheeses. Baked until golden and bubbly, this dish offers a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and comforting flavors, ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Sauce and Aromatics
- 3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking while you prepare the rest.
- Make the Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for about 10 minutes to develop flavors.
- Mix the Cheeses: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese with half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan. Season lightly with salt and pepper, stirring until creamy and well blended.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour half of the marinara sauce into the cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Gently fold in the ricotta cheese mixture, ensuring the pasta is well-coated with the cheesy blend.
- Layer and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish and spread half the pasta mixture into it. Add a layer of the remaining marinara sauce, then top with the rest of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for about 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Use whole-milk ricotta for richer, creamier flavor.
- Season ricotta and sauce separately to layer flavors well.
- Don’t skip resting time after baking for better texture and easier serving.
- Add shredded cheeses on top just before baking for a golden, bubbly crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy baked pasta, ricotta pasta bake, Italian comfort food, baked ziti recipe
