Baked Ziti

Name: Baked Ziti
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 15 oz tomato sauce; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 15 oz ricotta cheese; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

A hearty Italian-American pasta bake featuring ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, and multiple cheeses. This comforting casserole is layered with creamy ricotta and topped with melted mozzarella for the perfect family meal.

55 minMediumServes 8450 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerOvenVegetarianPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 lb ziti pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz crushed tomatoes
15 oz tomato sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 1 lb ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
3

In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4

Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 15 oz tomato sauce, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5

In a medium bowl, combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 1 lightly beaten egg, and 1/4 cup of 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
6

In the prepared baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti, followed by half of the ricotta mixture (dolloped evenly), half of the remaining sauce, and half of the 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
7

Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
8

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.

Questions

Can I make Baked Ziti dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (15 oz ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free dinner collection instead.

Can I make Baked Ziti gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb ziti pasta. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Baked Ziti keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Baked Ziti?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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