Easy Baked Ziti

$Easy baked ziti is a fun and tasty dish. It uses simple ingredients to create a rich, cheesy meal. You can make it for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering. The blend of pasta, cheese, and sauce will please everyone. To make this delightful dish, gather these ingredients: - 12 oz ziti pasta - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 onion, chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 bell pepper, diced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce - 2 cups ricotta cheese - 1 egg - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil for garnish (optional) These ingredients blend well together. Each one adds flavor and texture to the dish. To prepare your baked ziti, you will need some handy tools: - Large pot for boiling pasta - Skillet for sautéing - Mixing bowl for the ricotta - Baking dish for assembling - Aluminum foil for covering With these tools, you can easily make the recipe. Each tool helps in creating a great baked ziti. Enjoy cooking it! 1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is key to a great bake. 2. Cook the pasta. Boil the ziti pasta in a large pot. Follow the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain it well and let it sit. 3. Prep the veggies. In a large skillet, pour the olive oil and heat it over medium. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns soft, about 3-4 minutes. 4. Add garlic and pepper. Mix in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes until they soften. 5. Season the sauce. Stir in the Italian seasoning and marinara sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors. 6. Mix the cheese. In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until it is smooth and creamy. 7. Combine pasta and sauce. Take a large baking dish. Mix the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce mixture. Make sure it is well combined. 8. Add ricotta. Drop spoonfuls of the ricotta mix over the pasta. Gently fold it in, but do not mix it too much. 9. Top it off. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top. This will melt beautifully while baking. 10. Cover and bake. Use aluminum foil to cover the dish. Bake for 25 minutes. This helps the pasta absorb the sauce. 11. Finish baking. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Look for bubbly, golden cheese on top. 12. Serve it up. Let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if you like. Enjoy your delicious creation! For the complete recipe details, check the Full Recipe section. To cook ziti just right, follow the package guide. Boil your water first. Salt it well to add flavor. Add the ziti and stir to prevent sticking. Check for al dente, which means it should be firm but not hard. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Drain it well before mixing it with sauce. If you have dietary needs, you can make easy swaps. For gluten-free ziti, use gluten-free pasta. Instead of ricotta, try cottage cheese or tofu for a vegan option. You can also use almond milk or coconut milk to replace dairy. This way, everyone can enjoy the meal without worry. Having the right tools helps make cooking easier. Use a large pot for boiling the pasta. A 12-inch skillet works well for sautéing veggies. A large mixing bowl is great for combining the cheese. Finally, a baking dish is key for the oven. Using these tools will make your ziti prep smooth and fun. For the full recipe, check out the complete list above. {{image_2}} For a tasty vegetarian baked ziti, swap the meat for veggies. Use mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. These add great flavor and nutrients. You can also add roasted eggplant or artichokes for more variety. Just sauté the veggies with the onion and garlic. This will make your dish colorful and healthy. If you love meat, add ground beef, sausage, or turkey. Brown the meat in your skillet before adding the onion and garlic. Mix it into the sauce for a hearty meal. This version is rich and filling. You can even layer in some pepperoni or bacon for extra flavor. Cheese lovers will enjoy adding different cheeses. Try using feta, goat cheese, or even cheddar. You can mix these in with the ricotta for a creamy texture. Adding extra mozzarella on top gives a nice, gooey finish. For a fun twist, throw in some cream cheese or a splash of pesto. These add a burst of flavor that everyone will love. For the full recipe, check out the steps above! To keep your baked ziti fresh, place it in an airtight container. Let it cool down before sealing. You can store it in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great option. When you're ready to eat your leftovers, reheat them in the oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with foil to keep the moisture in. Heat for about 20 minutes or until it is warm throughout. You can also use the microwave for a quick meal. Just use a microwave-safe dish and cover it. To freeze baked ziti, portion it into meal-sized servings. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. Label the bags with the date. It should last about three months in the freezer. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. This keeps the flavors fresh and delicious. For the full recipe, check the earlier section. To make baked ziti from scratch, start by cooking the ziti pasta. Boil water in a pot and add the pasta. Cook it until it is al dente, then drain. In a skillet, heat olive oil, and add chopped onion. Sauté until it turns soft. Add minced garlic and diced bell pepper. Cook for a few more minutes. Then, stir in Italian seasoning and marinara sauce. Let it simmer for a bit. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, an egg, and a pinch of salt. In a baking dish, combine the pasta with the sauce. Add the ricotta mix and gently stir. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Bake at 375°F for about 35-40 minutes. Yes, you can prepare baked ziti ahead of time. To do this, follow the recipe but do not bake it. Once you mix the pasta and sauce, cover the dish tightly with foil. You can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to eat, just bake it in the oven. If it’s cold from the fridge, add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time. If you need a substitute for ricotta cheese, you have some great options. Cottage cheese is a common choice. Just blend it until smooth. Cream cheese can also work well. Mix it with a bit of milk to get the right texture. Greek yogurt is another healthy option. It adds creaminess and a nice tang to the dish. In this post, we explored making baked ziti from scratch. We covered the full recipe, essential ingredients, and cooking tools. I shared step-by-step instructions to guide you through preparation, cooking, and baking. You also found handy tips for cooking ziti perfectly and options for dietary needs. I discussed variations, including vegetarian and meat-lover ideas, plus storage tips for leftovers. Now you have everything you need to create a delicious baked ziti at home! Enjoy cooking and sharing this meal with others.$

Indulge in the cheesy goodness of Baked Ziti Delight, a simple yet delicious meal perfect for any night! This recipe combines ziti pasta, rich marinara sauce, and a creamy ricotta mixture, all topped with bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 50 minutes, it's an easy family favorite that will impress everyone.

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Ingredients

12 oz ziti pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

2 cups ricotta cheese

1 egg

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell pepper, cooking for an additional 3 minutes until softened.

Add the Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.

In a large baking dish, combine the cooked ziti with the marinara sauce mixture. Stir to combine thoroughly.

Dollop the ricotta mixture over the pasta and gently fold it in without fully blending.

Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6