Description
This comforting Three Cheese Baked Ziti combines tender pasta with a rich tomato sauce and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to bubbly perfection and topped with fresh herbs, it’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing Italian-American classic perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti pasta
- Salted water for boiling
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, the large egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Assemble the Ziti: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the cooked ziti pasta with two-thirds of the prepared tomato sauce and the cheese mixture. Transfer this mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the pasta. Sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Once baked, let the ziti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired to add a fresh herbal note to the dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free version of this dish.
- Substitute whole milk ricotta for a creamier texture.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
