Description
Learn how to make a delicious and easy baked ziti dish with our simple recipe. Perfect for a comforting family dinner. Click here to get started!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium yellow onion (150g)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 1/2 ounces (45g) grated cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
- 5 cups (1.2 L) marinara sauce
- 1 1/4 teaspoons (6 ml) kosher salt, divided, plus more for seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound (450g) dried ziti or penne pasta
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese (240ml)
- 8 ounces (225g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Mince the onion and garlic cloves finely. Shred the cheese into small pieces.
- Position an oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 375°F. Meanwhile, as the water reaches a rolling boil with ample salt, start preparing the sauce.
- Pour olive oil into a large pot or Dutch oven and warm it over medium heat until it shimmers. Introduce the minced onion, garlic, and optional red pepper flakes, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, which takes around 12 minutes. Pour in the marinara sauce along with a teaspoon of kosher salt, mix well, and bring to a gentle simmer. Then, take the pot off the heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until it’s just tender, following the package instructions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, some of the grated cheese, and a bit of kosher salt, stirring to blend.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and place it back in the pot. Mix in half of the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper if necessary. Gently fold in the ricotta mixture, ensuring to leave visible pockets throughout.
- Spoon half of the pasta into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a portion of the shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly on top. Layer the remaining pasta over this and spread it evenly. Pour the rest of the sauce on top, smoothing it out. Finish by scattering the remaining mozzarella and grated cheese evenly over the surface.
- Bake without covering until the edges are bubbly and the cheese is fully melted and beginning to brown in spots, approximately 30 minutes. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese to enhance the texture and flavor of the dish.
- Season the sauce generously with salt and pepper for a tastier pasta.
- Avoid overcooking the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 605 cal
- Fat: 27.4 g
- Protein: 28.2 g
Keywords: baked ziti, cheesy pasta, family dinner, vegetarian casserole, Italian dish