Description
This Irresistible Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring tender ziti pasta enveloped in a rich, creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, layered with savory pasta sauce and baked to bubbly, golden perfection. Perfect for cozy nights, this hearty dish delivers a satisfying cheesy experience with fragrant basil notes and a pleasing balance of textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound uncooked ziti noodles
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 ½ cups low-fat mozzarella cheese, divided
Seasonings & Herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves or ½ teaspoon dried basil
Sauce
- 48 ounces pasta sauce (two 24-ounce jars)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the ziti later.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Stir until you achieve a smooth, creamy mixture that will bind the pasta.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Gently fold the cooked ziti noodles into the cheese mixture along with half of the pasta sauce, making sure each noodle is generously coated.
- Layer the casserole: Spread half of the ziti mixture evenly into a baking dish. Pour half of the remaining pasta sauce over this layer.
- Add the second layer: Spread the remaining ziti mixture over the sauce, then cover with the rest of the pasta sauce evenly.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top to create a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fresh, herbal aroma and extra color before serving.
Notes
- Use low-fat cheeses to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture holds up better during baking.
- Feel free to substitute fresh pasta sauce with your preferred homemade or store-bought marinara.
- For extra richness, add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella on top midway through baking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.
