Four Cheese Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Four Cheese Baked Ziti, a creamy, cheesy, and saucy pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Featuring tender ziti pasta layered with a rich marinara sauce and a decadent blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and feta cheeses, this hearty casserole is guaranteed to satisfy every cheese lover’s craving. Fresh basil and a hint of garlic elevate the flavors, while a golden, bubbly crust adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in under an hour, this easy baked ziti recipe is not only convenient but also irresistibly delicious—great for prepping ahead or enjoying straight from the oven. Don’t forget to pair it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 unit large egg
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, feta cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined to create the cheese mixture.
In the prepared baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom.
In the same bowl used for the cheese mixture, add the cooked ziti pasta and remaining marinara sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Layer half of the sauced pasta over the marinara sauce in the baking dish. Spread half of the cheese mixture on top of the pasta layer.
Add the remaining pasta mixture as a second layer. Top with the remaining cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top to create a bubbly, golden crust.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent the cheese from over-browning) and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
476 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.2 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.0 g | 65% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 1262 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.4 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.4 g | ||
| Protein | 26.7 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 617 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 72 mg | 2% | |
*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.
