Indulge in Comfort: The Ultimate Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe
Cheesy Baked Ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food, featuring tender ziti pasta baked with a rich tomato sauce, a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and plenty of melted mozzarella. It's a perfect dish for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a warm and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package directions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and eggs. Mix well.
- Assemble the Ziti: In a large baking dish (9x13 inch), spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Add half of the cooked ziti, then half of the ricotta cheese mixture, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Pour half of the remaining sauce over the mozzarella. Repeat layers: add the rest of ziti, then the remaining ricotta cheese mixture, and spread the rest of the sauce over the top layer of mozzarella.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let Rest: Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pasta: Ziti is traditional, but you can use other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. Cook pasta al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Sauce: You can use a store-bought marinara sauce or make your own. Adding a little sugar to the sauce can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Cheese: Whole milk ricotta cheese provides the best texture and flavor. Fresh mozzarella melts best. You can also add some provolone or fontina cheese for a different flavor profile
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add cooked Italian sausage, ground beef, meatballs, or vegetables (like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers) to the sauce for extra flavor and heartiness.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the ziti ahead of time (before the final baking step) and refrigerate it. Add about 15-20 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Freezing: You can freeze baked ziti. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.