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Baked Ziti Recipe

Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a comforting classic that effortlessly brings warmth to the dinner table. It's simple enough for a cozy family meal yet impressive when hosting friends.
Recipe Developer-Estefania
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional time5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 400 g Dried Ziti or Penne Pasta
  • 700 g Marinara Sauce
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 200 g Grated Mozzarella Cheese
  • 250 g Ricotta Cheese
  • 100 g Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 60 ml Heavy Cream

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix marinara sauce, grated garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce mixture and toss until well coated.
  • Stir in 150 g the mozzarella cheese so it melts into the pasta when baking.
  • In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 60 g Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream.
  • Preheat oven to 190°C /375°F (170°C /338°F fan-forced).
  • Spread half of the pasta mixture in a greased baking dish. Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta.
  • Add the remaining pasta on top. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
  • Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta: Since it will bake in the oven, cooking it a little less than al dente keeps it from getting too soft. 
Mixing mozzarella into the pasta makes it extra creamy: It melts beautifully, so every bite has a bit of cheesy goodness. 
The cream in the ricotta cheese is a game-changer: It keeps the ricotta cheese from drying out and adds a rich, smooth texture. 
Season the sauce well: Since the ricotta is mild, adding salt, garlic, and spices directly to the sauce gives the whole dish great flavor. 
Let it rest before serving: Just a few minutes helps everything set so it's easier to scoop and serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 556kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1510mg | Potassium: 634mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1240IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 511mg | Iron: 2mg