Description
This Ultimate Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is a rich and comforting Italian-American classic. With tender ziti pasta smothered in a velvety Alfredo sauce, marinara, and topped with a generous amount of cheese, it’s the perfect hearty dish for any occasion. This cheesy baked pasta will become your new favorite comfort food!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ziti pasta (or penne)
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the ziti pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce:
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan until smooth.
- Combine with marinara sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce with the creamy sauce. Add the cooked ziti pasta to the sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Assemble the casserole:
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or vegetables for more texture and flavor.
- For a slightly lighter version, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk.
- Make sure to let the baked ziti rest before cutting to allow the cheesy layers to set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg