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A steaming dish of baked ziti with melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Proven way to grow your Baked Ziti skillsBaked Ziti

This recipe provides a proven method to enhance your baked ziti skills, resulting in a delicious and satisfying dish. Follow these steps to create a perfect baked ziti that will impress.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 pound Ziti pasta
Sauce
  • 24 ounces Marinara sauce
Cheese
  • 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Seasoning
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and boil the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Assembly
  1. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the sauce, then top with half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  3. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and cheeses, ensuring the top layer is generous with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Baking
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serving
  1. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture. This dish reheats well and is perfect for meal prepping. Enjoy with a side salad and garlic bread.