Three Cheese Baked Ziti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Three Cheese Baked Ziti—a hearty casserole dish that's loaded with layers of flavor and cheesy goodness. Al dente ziti pasta is coated in a rich marinara sauce and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, then baked to bubbly, golden perfection. Seasoned with garlic, basil, oregano, and a hint of black pepper, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a satisfying balance of savory and cheesy notes in every bite. Perfect for feeding a family or hosting a dinner party, this crowd-pleasing baked ziti comes together in just under an hour and is ideal for meal prep or leftovers. Serve it garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and pair it with a side salad or garlic bread for a restaurant-quality Italian feast right at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and stir. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan, the egg, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce (about 1 cup) on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, the remaining marinara sauce, and the ricotta cheese mixture. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with foil (sprayed lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking) and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
502 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.6 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.2 g | 71% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 905 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.7 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 29.4 g | 59% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 592 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 1.5 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 145 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.
