Baked Ziti Italian Casserole (Printable)
Hearty ziti pasta layered with ricotta, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for family dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 lb ziti pasta
→ Sauce
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 14 oz tomato sauce
07 - 2 teaspoons dried oregano
08 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
09 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Cheeses
11 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1 large egg
→ Fresh Herbs (optional)
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook ziti until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, half the Parmesan, half the mozzarella, and parsley if using until smooth.
06 - Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the baking dish bottom. Layer half of the cooked pasta over the sauce, dot half of the ricotta mixture, pour half of the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with one-third of the remaining mozzarella.
07 - Repeat layering with remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella. Top with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
08 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
09 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
10 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe is like sharing a secret treasure of Italian-American comfort food that never fails to please the crowd
- The mix of creamy ricotta with bubbly mozzarella makes every bite feel indulgent without being complicated
02 -
- Don’t overcook the pasta because it will get softer in the oven and you want it to hold up with all the cheese and sauce
- Letting the baked ziti rest before serving lets the layers settle so each bite is perfectly balanced
03 -
- Using an egg in the ricotta mix helps keep everything together while baking, avoiding a watery dish
- Letting the sauce simmer longer deepens the flavors and cuts any raw tomato taste