Description
This creamy baked ziti is perfect for feeding a crowd during the holidays. Layers of tender pasta, a velvety tomato cream sauce, and a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses bake to golden perfection. Easy to assemble ahead, this dish stays moist and flavorful whether made the day before or frozen for later. Serve straight from the oven with a garnish of fresh basil for a comforting, crowd-pleasing main course that’s as simple as it is satisfying.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Cook ziti in salted boiling water until just al dente, drain and toss with olive oil
3. In a skillet, brown sausage if using, drain excess fat
4. Add garlic to skillet, cook until fragrant, then stir in marinara sauce, cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; simmer 5–8 minutes
5. In a bowl, mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, and a few tablespoons Parmesan
6. Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish
7. Layer half the pasta, half the sauce, and half the ricotta mixture
8. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining sauce and cheeses
9. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes
10. Remove foil and bake 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden
11. Let rest 10 minutes, garnish with basil, and serve
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 60
Keywords: best-ever-baked-ziti, creamy-baked-ziti, easy-baked-ziti, baked-ziti-for-a-crowd, holiday-baked-ziti, make-ahead, crowd-pleasing, cheesy-pasta