Quick and Easy Baked Ziti
Whip up a comforting classic in no time with this Quick and Easy Baked Ziti, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings! This crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish combines tender ziti layered with creamy ricotta cheese, tangy marinara sauce, and a generous topping of gooey mozzarella and savory Parmesan cheese. Featuring a blend of Italian herbs like basil and oregano, plus a hint of garlic powder, every bite is bursting with flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying, with minimal prep time and foolproof layering techniques. Serve your baked ziti fresh out of the oven for a hearty dinner that pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a crisp green salad. Keywords: quick baked ziti, easy pasta recipes, comfort food, family dinner, Italian casserole, weeknight meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
In the prepared baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom.
Layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce. Top with half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it evenly. Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce over the ricotta layer and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella.
Repeat the layers: remaining ziti, remaining ricotta mixture, 1 cup marinara sauce, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
Top the final layer with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Allow the baked ziti to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
406 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.8 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.8 g | 59% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 92 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 832 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.4 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g | ||
| Protein | 24.7 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 526 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 87 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.
