baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella recipe

Written ByJenny Smyth Posted on
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The Best baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella recipe

I’ve been making this baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella recipe for years, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

The dish originated in Italy, where it’s known as

Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella

4.8 from 564 votes

This comforting baked ziti recipe combines ricotta and mozzarella cheeses for a creamy, indulgent pasta dish. It is baked to perfection with a rich tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese.

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time45 mins
Servings: 4Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 350 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Pasta

8 oz ziti pasta
Salt for boiling water

For the Cheese Filling

15 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce

2 cups marinara sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

For Topping

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

👨‍🍳Directions

1Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
3Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
4Drain the pasta and set it aside.
5In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6Mix well until smooth and creamy.
7In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
8Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
9Add marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
10Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
11Remove from heat.
12In a 9×13 baking dish, spread a thin layer of the marinara sauce on the bottom.
13Arrange half of the cooked ziti pasta in the dish, followed by half of the cheese mixture, and half of the remaining sauce.
14Repeat with the remaining pasta, cheese mixture, and sauce.
15Sprinkle the top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
16Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
17Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
18This allows the cheese to set and makes it easier to serve.
19Enjoy your baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella.

🔧Equipment

Large pot
Colander
Mixing bowl
Baking dish 9×13
Oven

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 350 kcal🧈Total Fat: 12g💛Saturated Fat: 5g❤️Cholesterol: 30mg🧂Sodium: 600mg🌾Total Carbs: 45g🥦Dietary Fiber: 3g🍬Sugars: 5g🥩Protein: 15g

📝Notes

Tips: You can add cooked vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the cheese mixture for extra nutrition. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.

The beauty of this baked ziti with ricotta and mozzarella lies in its simplicity – yet another example of how classic Italian dishes never go out of style due perhaps partly because people understand instinctively their timeless appeal beyond mere taste alone but rather their ability deliver both comfort warmth satisfaction those elements closely tied emotional connection memories formed around certain foods especially when shared amongst loved ones who come together sharing stories laughter tears together again over time passing down tradition through generations continues nourish us body mind spirit daily nourishment throughout life long journey.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Mozzarella

1 What type of pasta should I use?

This recipe calls for penne pasta but you can substitute other types such as ziti.

2 Can I add meat to this recipe?

Yes you can add ground beef sausage or bacon bits if desired.

3 Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes simply omit any meat ingredients.

4 How do I store leftover casserole?

Refrigerate at room temperature within two hours refrigerate any leftovers immediately after serving then reheat before consuming.

5 Can I make this recipe ahead?

You can prepare all components except assembly which should happen right before baking.

6 Is there an alternative to ricotta cheese?

You can substitute Greek yogurt cottage cheese sour cream or cream cheese depending on desired taste texture consistency.

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