Baked Ziti with Mozzarella Italian-American Favorite, italian cuisine, italian cooking, world's top chefs recipe

 

🧀 Baked Ziti with Mozzarella

Italian-American Favorite
Cuisine: Italian-American | Course: Main | Difficulty: Easy

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📋 Ingredients

Serves 4–5 | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 35 min

• 350g ziti pasta (or penne)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 400g crushed tomatoes (1 can)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

• Optional: Fresh basil, for garnish

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta:
Boil ziti in salted water until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion until soft (about 5 min), then add garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Assemble the Dish:
In a mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with half the sauce and ricotta. Mix gently.

4. Layer and Top:
Spread a bit of sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Add half the pasta mixture. Top with half the mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat with remaining pasta, sauce, and cheeses.

5. Bake:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

6. Serve:
Let it rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil, if desired.

💡 Pro Tips

• Cook pasta slightly under al dente — it finishes cooking in the oven.

• Add sautéed ground beef or sausage to the sauce for a heartier version.

• For extra creaminess, mix a spoon of heavy cream into the ricotta layer.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~560 kcal
Carbohydrates	~55g
Protein	~22g
Fat	~28g
Saturated Fat	~14g
Sodium	~600mg
Fiber	~4g
Sugar	~6g
Calcium	~250mg