YumVerseEats
Italian & Mediterranean
Classic Baked Ziti
A timeless baked ziti layered with pasta, sauce, and melted cheese for easy comfort food.
RECIPE AT A GLANCE
15
min
Active Time
45
min
Total Time
6
SERVINGS
Oven
METHOD
Why It Works
Simple assembly and oven baking do the work.
Ingredients
Sauce
• 24 oz (one standard jar) Marinara sauce
Seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
Filling
• 15 oz (one standard tub) Ricotta
• 1 large egg
Topping
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
Pasta & Grains
• 12 oz. Ziti pasta
How to Make It
1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti 2 minutes less than package directions — it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the beaten egg until smooth.
3
Add cooked ziti and marinara sauce to the ricotta mixture. Stir to combine.
4
Drizzle olive oil in a 9 x13 baking dish. Add the pasta mixture and spread evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella.
5
Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil bake for another 10minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
6
Rest 5 minutes before serving.
How to Make It
1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti 2 minutes less than package directions — it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, half the mozzarella, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the beaten egg until smooth.
3
Add cooked ziti and marinara sauce to the ricotta mixture. Stir to combine.
4
Drizzle olive oil in a 9 x13 baking dish. Add the pasta mixture and spread evenly. Top with remaining mozzarella.
5
Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil bake for another 10minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
6
Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
Sauce
• 24 oz (one standard jar) Marinara sauce
Seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
Filling
• 15 oz (one standard tub) Ricotta
• 1 large egg
Topping
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
Pasta & Grains
• 12 oz. Ziti pasta
Storage & Reheat
Store:
Store in airtight container up to 4 days or freeze.
Reheat:
Reheat gently in the microwave add a dash of water to prevent dry pasta.
Swaps
No ziti? Use the same weight of penne or rigatoni.
Avo's Tip
Undercook pasta slightly.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you start cooking.
Can I add meat?
Yes.
Make ahead?
Yes.
Freeze well?
Yes.
Quick Fixes
Pasta too dry after baking: Reserve some pasta water to mix into the sauce before baking — it keeps the ziti from absorbing all the moisture.
Cheese not melting evenly: Cover with foil for the first 20 minutes, then uncover to brown the top.
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