Simple Cheesy Baked Ziti
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!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 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
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Add the remaining pasta mixture on top and sprinkle the final 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3435 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 138.7 g | 178% | |
| Saturated Fat | 66.1 g | 330% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 626 mg | 209% | |
| Sodium | 6332 mg | 275% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 389.1 g | 141% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.7 g | 110% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.6 g | ||
| Protein | 177.2 g | 354% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 3668 mg | 282% | |
| Iron | 21.1 mg | 117% | |
| Potassium | 526 mg | 11% | |
*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.
