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Baked Ziti Recipe Easy Cheesy Comfort Dinner Like Mom Made

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A simple, cheesy, and comforting baked ziti recipe that balances gooey mozzarella, tangy marinara, and tender pasta, perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta (penne works as a substitute)
  • 4 cups (960ml) marinara sauce (thick, good-quality jarred or homemade)
  • 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 340g, freshly shredded from a block)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 100g, freshly grated)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the ziti and cook for about 7 minutes (2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add the drained ziti to the ricotta mixture, then pour in 3 cups of marinara sauce. Stir gently until everything is well coated. If sauce is too runny, simmer it a few minutes before mixing.
  4. Spread half the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half the shredded mozzarella and some Parmesan. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  6. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

[‘Do not overcook the pasta; it should be slightly undercooked as it finishes cooking in the oven.’, ‘Use freshly shredded mozzarella and Parmesan for best melting and flavor.’, ‘If marinara sauce is watery, simmer it to thicken before mixing.’, ‘Cover loosely with foil during baking to prevent cheese from burning, then uncover to brown the top.’, ‘Let the dish rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help the sauce settle.’, ‘Save some extra marinara sauce for serving to keep the pasta moist.’, ‘For meat lovers, add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara sauce.’, ‘Add finely chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies.’, ‘For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes or use arrabbiata sauce.’, ‘Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe gluten-free.’, ‘Dairy-free alternatives can replace cheeses for lactose intolerance.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal, mozzarella, ricotta, marinara, family dinner

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/baked-ziti-recipe-easy-cheesy-comfort-dinner-like-mom-made/