Description
Easy Baked Ziti is a creamy and delicious pasta dish that combines ziti pasta with a rich marinara sauce and a cheesy filling, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, and salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce over the bottom of a baking dish.
- Pour in the pasta and cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Top with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Easy Baked Ziti, classic baked ziti recipe