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A steaming dish of baked ziti with melted cheese and rich tomato sauce.

Baked Ziti

This recipe provides a quick and delicious way to prepare baked ziti in just 20 minutes, perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 ounces ziti pasta
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, egg, fresh parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Drain the cooked ziti and add it to the bowl with the ricotta mixture, then pour in half of the marinara sauce and mix thoroughly.
  2. Spread half of the remaining marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, then spoon in the ziti mixture and top with the remaining marinara sauce.
  3. Sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture. This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.