Baked Ziti with Three Cheeses
Use any tubular pasta for this this simple pasta and cheesedish. Blend with tomatoes, seasonings and layer with Parmesan, ricotta and mozzarella then bake.
Servings 6
Calories 259kcal
Ingredients
- 10 oz ziti or penne pasta about 2 cups
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups tomato sauce passata or marinara
- ½ cup pasta water
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
- ½ tsp chili pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fresh ground pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups grated mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400℉. Butter or apply cooking spray to a 2 ½ to 3-quart baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, but keep ½ cup of the pasta water.
- In a large pot, melt the butter then heat the garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Stir in the diced tomatoes followed by the tomato sauce, seasonings and salt.
- Stir in the pasta and the ½ cup pasta water.
- Add half of the pasta and sauce mixture to the baking dish then spread the parmesan, ricotta and half the mozzarella over this layer. Make a second layer and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let stand about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Garnish with fresh parsley.