Experience the ultimate comfort food with this baked ziti, featuring layers of pasta, rich marinara, and creamy cheeses that create a warm, inviting dish perfect for cozy gatherings.
Author:Maya
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Total Time:55 minutes
Yield:Serves approximately 6
Category:Main
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ziti pasta
4 cups marinara sauce
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it's heating, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the Pasta: Add the ziti pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well but do not rinse.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with half of the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Stir until well mixed.
Layer It Up: In a baking dish, spread some marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the cooked ziti over it followed by half of your ricotta mixture and one cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers until you run out of ingredients.
Top It Off: Spread any remaining marinara sauce on top before sprinkling with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake Until Golden: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.
Serve: Transfer to plates and drizzle with extra marinara sauce for a perfect finishing touch.