Description
Tender ziti baked with a creamy tomato sauce and a blend of five cheeses. Perfect for family dinners, weeknight indulgence, or holiday meals.
Ingredients
1 pound ziti pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/2 cup shredded romano cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook ziti pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil.
3. In a skillet, heat marinara sauce and heavy cream. Add garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–4 minutes.
4. Stir in ricotta cheese until smooth.
5. Combine pasta with sauce, coating evenly.
6. In baking dish, layer half of pasta mixture and half of each shredded cheese. Add remaining pasta and top with remaining cheeses.
7. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Use any combination of cheeses you prefer.
Add sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian version.
Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate overnight for convenience.
Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg