Go Back

5-Ingredient Baked Ziti

A quick and easy dish featuring layers of ziti, marinara sauce, and gooey cheese for a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ziti pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce and ricotta cheese. Stir until well blended.
  4. Add the cooked ziti to the sauce and ricotta mixture. Gently fold until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
Assembling
  1. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture on the bottom. Top with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
  2. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top of the cheese. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan over the top.
Baking
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent burning). Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Serving
  1. Once baked, let the ziti cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to three months. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes.