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Carol's Baked Ziti Casserole

Carol's baked ziti casserole is packed with cheese, sauce, and pasta—it is as comforting as it is filling.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 people
Calories 4707.5 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and baking the casserole
  • 1 Large Stockpot For boiling the ziti pasta
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the ricotta cheese mixture
  • 1 Whisk For blending the ricotta, Parmesan, and egg smoothly
  • 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring pasta and spreading sauce

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 16 ounce package ziti pasta
  • 1 15 ounce container ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 28 ounce jar meatless spaghetti sauce, divided
  • 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese divided
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in ziti and return to a boil. Cook ziti, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
  • Combine ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and egg in a bowl. Spread 1/3 spaghetti sauce in the prepared baking dish; top with 1/2 ziti, 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/3 spaghetti sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, ending with remaining spaghetti sauce and Parmesan cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, 45 to 50 minutes.

Notes

For optimal texture, ensure the ziti is truly al dente; it will continue to cook in the oven, preventing a mushy result. While using jarred sauce, consider sautéing some minced garlic and onion as a base before adding the sauce for added depth of flavor. For a richer cheese profile, blend in a touch of shredded provolone or smoked mozzarella with the part-skim mozzarella. When layering, aim for even distribution of ingredients to ensure every serving gets a balanced bite. If you desire a golden-brown, crispy top, remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. Allow the casserole to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking before serving; this allows the layers to set and prevents it from falling apart.