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A steaming dish of baked ziti pasta dinner, rich with cheese and sauce.

Classic Cheesy Baked Ziti (The Crowd-Pleaser)

This Classic Cheesy Baked Ziti is a crowd-pleasing dish featuring layers of tender ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, a creamy ricotta mixture, and plenty of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Medium bowl

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and cook ziti pasta until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, mixing until well combined.

Assembling

  • Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Add half of the cooked ziti, half of the ricotta mixture, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Spoon 1.5 cups of marinara sauce over the mozzarella, then add the remaining ziti and ricotta mixture.
  • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top layer and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and extra Parmesan.

Baking & Serving

  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden.
  • Let rest for 5-10 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Notes

For an extra rich flavor, you can add some cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara sauce. Make sure to choose a good quality marinara sauce for the best taste. This dish is also great for making ahead; simply assemble and refrigerate, then bake when ready, adding about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.