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Baked Ziti

A comforting dish of cheesy, hearty pasta baked to perfection with marinara and ricotta cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces ziti (or penne)
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Marinara: In a large saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. Mix with Ricotta: Combine ricotta cheese, a pinch of salt, and fresh basil or parsley in a mixing bowl.
  4. Combine: Fold the cooked ziti into the marinara sauce, adding dollops of ricotta mixture throughout.
  5. Layer and Top: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread half of the ziti mixture in an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, layer in remaining ziti, and top with remaining mozzarella.
  6. Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let cool for 10 minutes, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve.

Notes

Feel free to customize with veggies or meat to enhance the flavor and nutrition.

Nutrition

Keywords: Baked Ziti, Comfort Food, Italian Pasta, Vegetarian Recipe