Baked Ziti with Cheese
A comforting, crowd-pleasing classic featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich tomato sauce and smothered in melted, golden cheese.
Ingredients
- •1 pound (450g) ziti pasta
- •24 ounces (680g) high-quality marinara sauce
- •15 ounces (425g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- •2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- •1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- •1 large egg, lightly beaten
- •1 teaspoon dried oregano
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
- •1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti for 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente; drain well.
- 3
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, half of the Parmesan cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- 4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce and the ricotta mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
- 5
Spread half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella, then top with the remaining pasta.
- 6
Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- 7
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.
- 8
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
💡 Chef tips
- For a deeper flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or stir in some fresh chopped basil before baking.
- You can assemble this dish up to 24 hours in advance; keep it covered in the refrigerator and add 10 minutes to the baking time.
- If the cheese browns too quickly before the center is hot, tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should have a crispy, golden-brown cheese crust that gives way to tender pasta coated in a savory, creamy tomato sauce that smells fragrant with herbs.