Quick 4 Cheese Baked Ziti
Indulge in comfort food perfection with this Quick 4 Cheese Baked Ziti, a crowd-pleasing pasta dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Featuring the creamy richness of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and tangy feta, this baked ziti recipe delivers layers of cheesy goodness with every bite. Al dente ziti is coated in a flavorful marinara sauce infused with sautéed garlic and Italian seasoning, then layered with the creamy cheese blend and baked until bubbly and golden. Ready in under an hour, this one-pan meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve warm for an unforgettable dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. Keywords: "quick baked ziti," "4 cheese pasta bake," "comfort food recipes," "easy weeknight dinner," "cheesy ziti recipe."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz ziti pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil or non-stick spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
In a small skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
In the pot with the drained pasta, stir in the marinara sauce, cooked garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the pasta is well-coated in the sauce.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, the grated Parmesan, and the crumbled feta cheese. Stir well until all the cheeses are evenly mixed.
Spoon half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Layer half of the cheese mixture on top of the pasta. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese mixture, spreading it evenly.
Top the dish with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, creating an even layer.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2450 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 72.8 g | 93% | |
| Saturated Fat | 35.2 g | 176% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 244 mg | 81% | |
| Sodium | 3097 mg | 135% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 360.5 g | 131% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.2 g | 90% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.0 g | ||
| Protein | 112.0 g | 224% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1792 mg | 138% | |
| Iron | 18.7 mg | 104% | |
| Potassium | 350 mg | 7% | |
*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.
