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
