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Baked Ziti

Freshly prepared baked ziti on white plate
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Baked Ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring pasta baked with rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Add marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce mixture, and ricotta cheese. Stir until evenly coated.
  6. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pasta layer.
  8. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For added protein, mix in cooked Italian sausage or ground beef before baking. Serve with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.

Find it online: https://mommiesmore.com/delicious-baked-ziti-recipe/