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Cozy Baked Ziti Three Cheese Recipe Easy for a Crowd

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A warm, cheesy baked ziti featuring a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, perfect for feeding a crowd with simple ingredients and easy preparation.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ziti pasta
  • 4 cups (950 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups (375 grams) ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups (200 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil, a handful chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450 g) of ziti and cook until just shy of al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss lightly with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in 4 cups tomato sauce, sprinkle 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and optional ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a bowl, combine 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  6. In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with the tomato sauce until evenly coated.
  7. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Spread half of the sauced pasta in the dish. Dollop half of the ricotta-Parmesan mixture over the pasta in spoonfuls. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Repeat layering with remaining pasta, ricotta-Parmesan, and mozzarella. Finally, sprinkle remaining ½ cup Parmesan on top.
  8. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
  9. Let the baked ziti rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top for garnish.

Notes

If baked ziti seems too dry, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water or extra tomato sauce before baking. Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushy noodles after baking. Cover dish with foil for the first part of baking to keep moisture in, then remove foil to crisp the top. Toss pasta with olive oil after draining to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, three cheese baked pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, comfort food, easy dinner, crowd-pleaser, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://islatable.com/cozy-baked-ziti-three-cheese-recipe-easy-for-a-crowd/