Easy Baked Ziti

This easy baked ziti with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan is so good! Three cheeses layered with pasta and marinara sauce — delicious!

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 people

Calories 4806.6 kcal

Equipment

1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and baking the ziti.
1 Large Pot For boiling the ziti pasta.
1 Colander For draining the cooked pasta.
1 Medium Mixing Bowl For combining pasta and cheese mixture.

Ingredients

Main

1 16 ounce package ziti pasta
24 ounces ricotta cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large egg beaten
1 32-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse.
Combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, and 1 ½ cups spaghetti sauce in a medium bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Transfer into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Notes

For optimal results, ensure pasta is cooked truly al dente, as it will continue to absorb liquid and cook further in the oven; overcooked pasta will become mushy. Thoroughly drain the pasta after rinsing to prevent a watery final dish. To elevate the flavor, consider enhancing the marinara with sautéed garlic and onion, or even a browned ground Italian sausage. A pinch of nutmeg in the ricotta mixture can beautifully complement the cheese. Always let the baked ziti rest for at least 15 minutes post-baking; this allows the cheese to set, making for cleaner cuts and preventing the dish from falling apart when served. Don't be shy with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant finish.