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Creamy Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses

creamy baked ziti with three cheeses - featured image
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A comforting and easy baked ziti recipe featuring a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses baked with marinara sauce for a creamy, cheesy dinner perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese (375g)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (200g), fresh preferred
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (75g), freshly grated
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (720ml), homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional, a pinch

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Cook ziti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 8 minutes until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add marinara sauce to the skillet with garlic. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the shredded mozzarella, and half of the grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, toss cooked ziti with the marinara sauce until evenly coated.
  7. Spread half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish. Dollop half of the cheese mixture evenly on top, then add the remaining pasta. Spread the rest of the cheese mixture over the top layer.
  8. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
  10. Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped basil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushiness after baking. Sauté garlic gently to prevent bitterness. If cheese browns too quickly, loosely cover casserole with foil halfway through baking. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, creamy baked pasta, three cheese pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/creamy-baked-ziti-with-three-cheeses-easy-comforting-dinner-recipe/