This baked ziti recipe is the best approach to feed a crowd! Saucy, tacky, comforting, and flavorful, this fuss-free pasta is all the time a success.
This baked ziti recipe options layers of saucy pasta, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella cheese. Straightforward to assemble and all the time a success, it’s one among my go-to recipes for feeding a crowd.
I based mostly this recipe on the baked ziti I ate as a child. Reliably current at each potluck or get together I attended, it was my favourite consolation meals. I cherished the jumbles of noodles blended with tangy tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and Italian sausage or floor beef.
As of late, I skip the meat, however this baked ziti recipe continues to be hearty, satisfying, and full of taste. Attempt it on a weeknight, or make it the subsequent time you’re having firm over for dinner. You (and your visitors) will find it irresistible!
Make Baked Ziti
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this baked ziti recipe:
Elements
- Ziti, after all! One other tube-shaped pasta, corresponding to penne or rigatoni, would work properly too.
- Marinara sauce – I really like my do-it-yourself marinara sauce right here, however store-bought pasta sauce can also be truthful recreation! I like to recommend Rao’s.
- Ricotta cheese – It creates a creamy layer within the middle of the baked ziti. Complete milk ricotta cheese can have one of the best creamy texture.
- Garlic, lemon zest, oregano, and pink pepper flakes – I exploit these elements to season the ricotta. The garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes add basic Italian taste, and the lemon zest brings a scrumptious, sudden brightness.
- Recent spinach – A complete pound wilts down into this comforting pasta.
- Grated mozzarella and pecorino cheese – They create the melty topping. Be happy to substitute Parmesan cheese if you happen to don’t maintain pecorino readily available.
- Torn recent basil and chopped parsley – I sprinkle them over the ultimate dish for a recent, vibrant of entirety.
- And salt and pepper – To make all of the flavors pop!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Technique
This baked ziti recipe is simple to make! Right here’s the way it goes:
First, cook dinner the pasta. Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil, and cook dinner the pasta till al dente. Watch out to not overcook it! It’ll soften extra whereas it bakes.
Whereas the pasta cooks, make the ricotta cheese combination. Stir collectively the ricotta, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, pink pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Subsequent, sauté the spinach. Drain the pasta, and warmth a glug of olive oil in the identical pot. Sauté the spinach till it’s simply wilted.
- Tip: Work in batches right here! I do 1/2 pound at a time in order that the spinach cooks evenly.
Gently squeeze a few of the extra moisture out of the sautéed spinach and roughly chop it.
Then, combine the whole lot collectively. Return a lot of the spinach and all of the pasta to the pot, together with all however 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Stir till the whole lot is effectively mixed.
Lastly, layer it up. Unfold the remaining sauce on the underside of a giant casserole dish, and unfold half the pasta combination over it. Dollop within the ricotta and the reserved spinach, and scoop the remainder of the pasta on high. Prime with the grated cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
Bake the pasta at 425°F till the cheese is golden brown and effervescent, about 20 minutes. Take pleasure in!
Retailer and Reheat Baked Ziti
Leftover baked ziti retains effectively in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat it within the microwave or a 325°F oven.
You too can make this recipe forward. Assemble the baked ziti a couple of hours, or as much as a day, prematurely. Cowl it, and retailer it within the fridge. Permit it to sit down at room temperature for half-hour earlier than baking in accordance with the recipe.
Are you able to freeze baked ziti?
Sure! This baked ziti recipe freezes effectively.
- Assemble it as much as the purpose of baking, cowl the pan tightly with foil, and freeze for as much as 3 months.
- Switch it to the fridge to thaw in a single day.
- To reheat, bake, coated, at 400°F till heated by, about half-hour. Uncover and bake till the cheese on high is browned and effervescent.
What to Serve with Baked Ziti
This baked ziti recipe is a scrumptious major dish. Pair it with garlic bread, garlic knots, or do-it-yourself focaccia for sopping up any stray marinara sauce. Spherical out the meal with a giant salad. Any of those can be incredible:
Not feeling the salad? Skip it, or go for a easy veggie aspect dish as a substitute. Roasted broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, and sautéed inexperienced beans would all be nice decisions.
Extra Favourite Consolation Meals Recipes
If you happen to love this simple baked ziti recipe, attempt one among these comforting dishes subsequent:
Straightforward Baked Ziti
Serves 8
This baked ziti recipe is simple to make and excellent for serving a crowd. Stuffed with tangy tomato sauce, al dente pasta, and three kinds of cheese, it is comforting and scrumptious.
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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Unfold ½ cup marinara within the backside of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, oregano, pink pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and a number of other grinds of pepper.
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In a big pot of salted boiling water, cook dinner the pasta in accordance with bundle instructions till al dente. Drain.
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Return the pot again to the range. Over low warmth, drizzle the underside of the pot with just a little olive oil and add the spinach. Toss and sauté 1 to 2 minutes till simply wilted, working in batches if obligatory. Flip off the warmth, take away the spinach from the pot, and gently squeeze out a few of the extra water. Coarsely chop it and put aside.
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Add the pasta again to the pot together with the remaining marinara, a lot of the chopped spinach, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and a number of other grinds of pepper and toss till mixed.
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Add half the pasta to the baking dish, high with dollops of the ricotta, the remaining spinach, and scoop the remaining pasta on high. Prime with the mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and bake till the cheese is browned, 16 to 22 minutes.
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Garnish with recent basil or parsley and serve sizzling.
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