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A delicious tray of baked ziti with melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Baked Ziti

This proven Baked Ziti recipe delivers a perfect, comforting Italian-American classic, featuring ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a hearty family meal or a crowd-pleasing potluck.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
Sauce
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
Cheese Mixture
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 egg
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large pot
  • large bowl
  • mixing bowls

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper, mixing until well combined.
Assembly
  1. In a separate bowl, mix the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes.
  2. Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Add half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
  4. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the pasta.
  5. Top with another layer of the tomato sauce mixture.
  6. Repeat the layers with the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and tomato sauce.
Bake
  1. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
  2. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through.
  3. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding browned ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara sauce. You can also customize the cheese blend with provolone or fontina for a richer taste. If preparing ahead, assemble the ziti and refrigerate, then bake with an extra 10-15 minutes cooking time. Cover with foil for the first 20 minutes to prevent over-browning, then uncover for the last 10-15 minutes.