Ziti with Four Cheeses
Dive into comfort food bliss with this irresistible Ziti with Four Cheeses recipe, a cheesy, baked pasta masterpiece that combines bold flavors and creamy textures. Featuring four luscious cheeses—ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Fontina—this dish creates a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth experience, perfectly complemented by a rich marinara and cream sauce infused with garlic and herbs. It's all baked to golden perfection, with bubbling cheesy goodness and a crispy topping that will have everyone asking for seconds. Ideal for family dinners or potluck gatherings, this recipe is easy to prepare and ready in just under an hour, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or special occasions. Serve with a garnish of fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor—true Italian-inspired comfort food at its finest!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup Fontina cheese, shredded
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta until al dente according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in the marinara sauce and heavy cream. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the Fontina cheese. Mix until well combined.
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the cheese mixture and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Layer the coated pasta over the marinara sauce in the baking dish.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the pasta, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4312 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 221.4 g | 284% | |
| Saturated Fat | 114.3 g | 572% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 627 mg | 209% | |
| Sodium | 7110 mg | 309% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 392.9 g | 143% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.6 g | 109% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.3 g | ||
| Protein | 198.8 g | 398% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 4460 mg | 343% | |
| Iron | 20.6 mg | 114% | |
| Potassium | 537 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.
