Description
This Three Cheese Baked Ziti is the ultimate comforting Italian-American dish featuring perfectly cooked ziti pasta layered with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, mixed with savory marinara sauce, then baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It’s an easy-to-make hearty meal ideal for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided: 1 cup for mixture, 2 cups for topping)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce & Other
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- Olive oil, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add the ziti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the large egg, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until fully incorporated.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Layer First Half: Spread half of the sauced ziti evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Then, spread half of the cheese mixture evenly over the pasta layer.
- Layer Second Half: Add the remaining sauced ziti on top of the cheese layer, followed by spreading the remaining cheese mixture evenly over it.
- Add Top Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top to create a melty, golden crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheeses.
- Broil for Finish: Remove the foil and broil the baked ziti for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked ziti rest for 5 to 10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the cheese to set before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy comfort meal!
Notes
- Use salted water to enhance pasta flavor during boiling.
- Broiling time may vary by oven; watch closely to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes to the sauce or cheese mixture.
- Fresh basil can be used instead of parsley for a different herb flavor.
