Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Rich & Cheesy: A delicious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses.
Simple Preparation: Layers of pasta and cheese make assembly easy.
Comfort Food Classic: Warm, bubbly, and satisfying in every bite.
Versatile: Great for weeknights or meal prep for the week ahead.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti in salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Mix Pasta & Sauce: In another bowl, toss cooked ziti with marinara sauce until coated.
- Layer Casserole: Spread half the sauced pasta in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half the cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining pasta and cheese.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top layer.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Cool & Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: About 45–50 minutes
Variations
- Add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef for a meaty version.
- Include sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Substitute part of the mozzarella with provolone or fontina for different cheese flavors.
- Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary needs.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual servings.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking. Add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking cold.
Can I freeze baked ziti?
Yes, freeze before baking or after cooling. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How do I prevent the pasta from getting mushy?
Cook pasta al dente and avoid over-saucing.
Can I use a different pasta?
Any short pasta like rigatoni or penne works well.
What if I don’t have ricotta?
Use cottage cheese or mascarpone as a substitute.
How can I make it spicier?
Add red pepper flakes to the sauce or cheese mixture.
Can I add more cheese on top?
Absolutely! Extra mozzarella or parmesan will make it even cheesier.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, as long as you use a vegetarian marinara sauce.
Can I use fresh herbs?
Fresh oregano or basil can be used in place of dried for added freshness.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
Three Cheese Baked Ziti is a timeless comfort dish that pleases everyone with its rich, cheesy layers and hearty tomato sauce. Easy to prepare and endlessly customizable, it’s a go-to recipe for cozy dinners and special occasions alike. Enjoy the cheesy goodness in every warm, satisfying bite!
Three Cheese Baked Ziti: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe for Everyone
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Boiling, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Three Cheese Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food combining tender pasta with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, layered with savory marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil ziti in salted water until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In another bowl, toss cooked ziti with marinara sauce until coated.
- Spread half the sauced pasta in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with half the cheese mixture.
- Repeat layers with remaining pasta and cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top layer.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef for a meaty version.
Include sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
Substitute part of the mozzarella with provolone or fontina for different cheese flavors.
Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary needs.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or microwave individual servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
