Description
Creamy, cheesy meatless baked ziti delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, packed with rich pasta and zesty marinara. Perfectly layered and bubbling with melted cheese, this dish promises a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) ziti pasta
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar of pasta sauce (3 cups)
Cheese Mixture:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
- 1 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
- 1 egg
Seasonings:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a 13 x 9-inch baking dish for the ziti preparation.
- Cook pasta in boiling water until perfectly al dente, ensuring a slightly firm texture for optimal final dish consistency.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and ground pepper into a creamy, well-integrated mixture.
- Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce across the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking and enhance flavor foundation.
- Transfer cooked pasta into the cheese mixture, gently folding ingredients to create an even, uniform distribution throughout the dish.
- Pour remaining pasta sauce over the pasta-cheese blend, ensuring complete coverage and moisture throughout the casserole.
- Generously sprinkle additional mozzarella and pecorino romano cheese across the top, creating a rich, golden-brown surface.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, protecting the ingredients from direct heat and preventing excessive browning.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to heat thoroughly.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges become bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Allow the ziti to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps set the texture and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Customize Protein Swap traditional ricotta with tofu or plant-based ricotta alternatives for a completely vegan version that maintains creamy texture.
- Optimize Texture Drain ricotta cheese thoroughly to prevent watery consistency and ensure a thick, rich sauce that binds perfectly with pasta.
- Enhance Flavor Layer additional herbs like fresh basil or oregano between cheese mixture and pasta to create deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Reduce Calories Select low-fat cheese options and use part-skim mozzarella to create a lighter, healthier version without compromising delicious comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 466
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg