Description
A comforting pasta dish that combines ziti, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses for a rich, nostalgic family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Optional: 1 cup sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic or onions if using. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Combine drained pasta with the sauce in the skillet, then stir in the cheese mixture.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella, add the rest of the pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins. Adjust sauce to your preference for a more or less saucy bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pasta, comfort food, family recipe, baked ziti