3 Cheese Baked Ziti
Creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying, this 3 Cheese Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers. Featuring tender ziti pasta smothered in a rich marinara sauce and layered with a decadent trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, this baked pasta dish is easy to prepare yet delivers a restaurant-quality experience. A hint of garlic, Italian seasoning, and a golden, bubbly cheese topping elevate every bite, while a quick prep and bake time make it perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. Serve this hearty casserole straight from the oven, garnished with fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor. Both crowd-pleasing and freezer-friendly, it’s a versatile addition to your meal rotation. Search keywords: 3 Cheese Baked Ziti, baked pasta recipes, comforting casserole dishes, easy family meals, cheesy baked ziti recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz Ziti pasta
- 4 cups Marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups Ricotta cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 0.5 cups of Parmesan cheese, the egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Combine the cooked ziti with 3 cups of marinara sauce in a large bowl and mix until the pasta is evenly coated.
Layer half of the sauced pasta on top of the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the layer of pasta.
Top with the remaining sauced pasta.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3765 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 158.8 g | 204% | |
| Saturated Fat | 75.2 g | 376% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 682 mg | 227% | |
| Sodium | 6258 mg | 272% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 411.2 g | 150% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.1 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.6 g | ||
| Protein | 199.2 g | 398% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 4181 mg | 322% | |
| Iron | 20.8 mg | 116% | |
| Potassium | 759 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
