Baked Ziti
Ziti pasta baked with marinara, a ricotta layer seasoned with herbs and pepper rather than left plain, and mozzarella until bubbly - an unseasoned ricotta layer is the most common reason baked ziti tastes bland in the middle.
⏱ 55 min🍽 8 servings
dinneritalianvegetarian
Ingredients
- •1 lb ziti pasta
- •1 jar marinara sauce
- •2 cups ricotta cheese
- •1 egg
- •1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- •Salt to taste
- •Pepper to taste
- •3 cups shredded mozzarella
- •1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Steps
- 1.Cook the ziti in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente, then drain.
- 2.Mix the ricotta with the egg, half the Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper - seasoning the ricotta itself is what keeps the inside from tasting bland under the sauce.
- 3.Toss the pasta with the marinara sauce, then layer half in a baking dish with dollops of the ricotta mixture.
- 4.Top with the remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- 5.Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.