Description
This comforting homemade baked ziti recipe combines perfectly cooked ziti pasta with a rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden perfection. Topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it’s a hearty and satisfying Italian-American classic that’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound Ziti Pasta (Cooked al dente according to package instructions)
Sauce and Cheese
- 4 cups Marinara Sauce (Homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (For sautéing)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt (To taste)
- Pepper (To taste)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the ziti evenly.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce into the skillet with the garlic and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of cheese and sauce.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish lightly with olive oil or nonstick spray, then transfer the ziti mixture into it, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the ziti mixture for a flavorful crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes to set before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired for a fresh aroma and bright color.
Notes
- Cooking the pasta al dente prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melt quality.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute penne or rigatoni pasta if ziti is unavailable.
- Adding cooked ground beef or sausage before combining with pasta can make this dish meaty.
