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Creamy Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses

creamy baked ziti with three cheeses - featured image
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A comforting and easy baked pasta dish featuring ziti pasta layered with a rich tomato sauce and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ziti pasta, cooked al dente
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 pound (225g) ground Italian sausage (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 ounces (800g) crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup (250g) ricotta cheese, whole milk or part-skim
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 8 ounces/225g), divided
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50g), divided
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) water or broth (to loosen sauce if needed)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until just al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside without rinsing.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove excess fat if desired.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well.
  5. Add oregano, basil (or Italian seasoning), red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer gently over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water or broth if sauce becomes too thick.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Mix gently to coat pasta evenly with cheese.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour half of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Add the pasta-cheese mixture in an even layer over the sauce. Spoon remaining sauce over the pasta.
  9. Top with the reserved 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for a golden crust.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Optionally broil for last 2 minutes to brown cheese, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta before baking; it will finish cooking in the oven. If sauce is watery before baking, it will thicken during baking. For vegetarian version, omit sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or eggplant. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option. Freshly grate Parmesan for best flavor. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, creamy baked pasta, three cheese pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/creamy-baked-ziti-with-three-cheeses-easy-comforting-dinner-recipe/