Simple Cheesy Baked Ziti

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with this Simple Cheesy Baked Ziti! This easy-to-make recipe combines hearty ziti pasta with a luscious blend of marinara sauce and creamy ricotta cheese, all perfectly seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. Layered with melty mozzarella and nutty Parmesan, each bite is a cheesy, flavorful delight. With a quick prep time of just 15 minutes and a golden, bubbly finish from the oven, this baked ziti is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Serve it with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

11 items

• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

📝 Instructions

9 steps

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

4. Add the cooked ziti pasta and marinara sauce to the cheese mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and cheese mixture.

5. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

6. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle the final 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.

7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

8. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.

9. Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (293.5g)

Calories		422
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		22.9 g	29%
	Saturated Fat	12.3 g	62%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		86 mg	29%
Sodium		1005 mg	44%
Total Carbohydrate		30.2 g	11%
	Dietary Fiber	2.3 g	8%
	Total Sugars	3.2 g
Protein		25.8 g	52%
Vitamin D		0.2 mcg	1%
Calcium		523 mg	40%
Iron		1.2 mg	7%
Potassium		124 mg	3%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1242 cal (48.0%%)

Protein: 619 cal (23.9%%)

Carbs: 726 cal (28.1%%)