Baked Ziti
If you are looking for a reliable pasta recipe, this Baked Ziti is one to keep: 13 ingredients, 6 simple steps, ready in roughly 1 hour. It sits firmly in the Italian tradition, so expect the flavours you would get from a good home kitchen there. Below you will find the full ingredient list, the method, and a few tips we think make the difference.
- Cook 1h
- Total 1h
- Serves 8
- Level Easy
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ziti or other pasta
- 1 0.5 cups (360 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 lb (450 g) grated mozzarella
- ½ lb (225 g) ricotta
- 4 oz (110 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 3 tbsp Basil, chopped fine
- 2 tbsp Oregano, chopped fine
- 3 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped fine
- ½ cup (120 ml) bread crumbs
- 1 pinch Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt
- To taste Pepper
Method
- Preheat oven to 425 °F (225 °C). Coat a large baking dish with olive oil.
- Mix ricotta, egg, basil, oregano, parsley and about half of the mozzarella and Parmesan in a large bowl until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
- In a large bowl or pot, toss ziti with marinara sauce and red pepper flakes until noodles are covered. Stir in ricotta mixture and fold until it begins to melt. Pour mixture into greased dish and spread it out with a spoon.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top, then sprinkle bread crumbs over cheese.
- Bake at 425 °F (225 °C) for 20 minutes or until cheese on top turns golden and begins to bubble.
Tips for the best Baked Ziti
- Preheat the oven fully before anything goes in — a cold start changes the texture.
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
- Read the whole method before you start and measure out the 13 ingredients first — it keeps the pace relaxed once the heat is on.
- Let the egg come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
Variations
- Individual portions: divide into ramekins or a muffin tin and reduce the baking time by about a third.
- Swap the egg for silken tofu — keep the cooking time similar and check for doneness.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving ideas
Serve with a simple green salad and good bread to mop up the sauce.
Storage
Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Baked Ziti recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 13 ingredients and 6 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
How many people does this Baked Ziti recipe serve?
As written it serves 8. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 8×2.
How long does Baked Ziti take to make?
About 1 hour in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 1 hour of cooking.
Can I make Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours, so make it earlier in the day and reheat gently before serving.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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