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Easy Baked Ziti

Easy Baked Ziti

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Make dinner stressfree with this Easy Baked Ziti recipe that brings comfort and rich flavors to your table in minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry ziti pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 pound ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
  • Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until it’s just shy of al dente—about 1-2 minutes less than the package states.
  • Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic, and cook just until fragrant, less than a minute.
  • In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until creamy.
  • Drain the pasta and immediately toss it in the marinara sauce and garlic oil to coat the noodles.
  • Layer half the saucy pasta into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Dollop half the cheese mixture over it, spreading gently. Add the remaining pasta, then top with the rest of the cheese spread and remaining mozzarella.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Let the baked ziti rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to help it firm up.
  • Notes

    Easy Baked Ziti is a comforting, simple dish featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for cozy family dinners with no-fuss preparation.