Baked Ziti with Ricotta and Marinara
Equipment
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- 9x13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until smooth.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add half the cooked ziti in an even layer, then spoon the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread it gently.
- Pour 1 cup of marinara over the ricotta layer and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella.
- Add the remaining ziti, the last cup of marinara, the rest of the mozzarella, and all of the Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes more until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Notes
Let the baked ziti rest for 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven so the layers set and it slices more cleanly. If the marinara tastes very sweet, add a small pinch of salt to the ricotta mix to balance it. Leftovers reheat well in a 350 degree oven with a splash of extra sauce to keep the pasta from drying out.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Equipment: Large pot, Mixing bowl, 9x13 inch baking dish
Cuisine: Italian
Equipment: Large pot, Mixing bowl, 9x13 inch baking dish