Description
This Three Cheese Baked Ziti recipe is a comforting and delicious Italian-American classic, featuring perfectly cooked ziti pasta baked with a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, combined with flavorful marinara sauce and aromatic Italian seasonings. It’s an ultimate baked pasta dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade, divided)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for layering the ingredients.
- Cook the Ziti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well until evenly blended.
- Mix with Sauce: Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the cheese mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Assemble First Layer: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Then layer half of the cooked ziti pasta over the sauce.
- Add Cheese Layer: Spoon half of the prepared cheese mixture over the layer of ziti to cover it evenly.
- Repeat Layering: Add the remaining half of the ziti pasta on top of the cheese mixture. Spread the remaining marinara sauce over this layer, then spoon the remaining cheese mixture on top.
- Topping: Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese over the top layer to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the assembled baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade marinara sauce if possible.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and garlic bread.
- You can add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage for a meaty variation.
