Description
A cheesy, comforting pasta dish that warms the heart and delights the taste buds—perfect for family gatherings or busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz ziti pasta
For the Sauce:
- 4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- 1. Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- 2. Cook the Pasta
- Boil water in a large pot, add a pinch of salt, and cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- 3. Mix the Cheeses
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Mix until smooth.
- 4. Combine Pasta and Sauce
- In another bowl, mix cooked pasta with marinara sauce until well coated. Fold in the cheese mixture until combined.
- 5. Layer It Up
- Spread half of the pasta mixture in the greased baking dish. Add more marinara sauce on top and layer with remaining pasta mixture. Finish with a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- 6. Bake It
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg