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Creamy Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses

creamy baked ziti with three cheeses - featured image
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A comforting and easy baked pasta dish featuring a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses combined with marinara sauce and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought, no added sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook for about 4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet. Stir in red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, toss cooked ziti with marinara sauce, reserving about ½ cup sauce for topping. Fold in cheese mixture and chopped basil if using.
  7. Spread half of the ziti mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the remaining mozzarella on top. Add the rest of the ziti, pour reserved sauce evenly, then top with remaining mozzarella and a light dusting of Parmesan.
  8. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is key. Use fresh cheeses for best melt and flavor. Let the dish rest before serving to set. If top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for dairy-free, use plant-based cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, creamy pasta, three cheese pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, marinara sauce

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/creamy-baked-ziti-with-three-cheeses-easy-homemade-comfort-recipe/