Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring ziti pasta layered with a creamy ricotta mixture and marinara sauce, baked to perfection in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti or penne pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 8 oz whole milk mozzarella, shredded
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Grate mozzarella and Parmesan. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and do not rinse.
- In a large bowl, combine drained pasta with marinara sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to coat evenly.
- Spread half of the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture over the pasta layer and spread evenly.
- Top with remaining pasta, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Add spinach if using.
- Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1-2 minutes for extra browning if desired.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture. Save pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Undercook pasta slightly as it will continue to cook in the oven. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: baked ziti, creamy pasta, ricotta, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, 30 minute meals