Baked Ziti
Enjoy a comforting Baked Ziti made with tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, this hearty dish is perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
For The Pasta
- 400 g ziti or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- Water for boiling
For The Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 500 g tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
For The Cheese Mixture
- 250 g ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For Topping
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti until slightly underdone according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Simmer the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella until well mixed.
- Combine the pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce and toss until evenly coated.
- Layer the ziti: Spread some pasta in a greased baking dish. Add spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat with the remaining pasta and cheese.
- Add the topping: Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Rest and serve: Let the Baked Ziti rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.