Description
A comforting family favorite that combines ziti pasta, rich tomato sauce, and cheesy layers for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups tomato sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil and oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, a pinch of salt, and fresh basil. Stir in half of the shredded mozzarella.
- In a large baking dish, spread a layer of sauce. Add half of the pasta, half of the ricotta mixture, and half of the remaining sauce. Repeat the process, ending with sauce on top, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the baked ziti sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Under-cook the pasta slightly to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. Taste the sauce for proper seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: baked ziti, pasta, Italian comfort food, family recipe, cheesy dish