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This Baked Ziti Is What I Make When I Want Something Cozy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing

This Baked Ziti Is What I Make When I Want Something Cozy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing
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This easy baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food—tender pasta layered with rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, all baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or cozy Sunday dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: ½ pound cooked Italian sausage or ground beef
  • Optional: 1 cup sautéed spinach or diced zucchini

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ziti in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with a small amount of marinara to prevent sticking.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
  4. Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Add half the pasta, dollop with half the ricotta mixture, and pour over more marinara. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
  6. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients, finishing with mozzarella on top.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
  8. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare it ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze before baking.
  • For a crispier top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking.
  • Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if preferred.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbyandy.com/this-baked-ziti-is-what-i-make-when-i-want-something-cozy-cheesy-and-crowd-pleasing/