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–+ servings
baked ziti in a casserole dish

Easy Baked Ziti Recipe

Morgan Peaceman
This satisfying, timeless and easy baked ziti recipe is made with the simplest ingredients, no frills, and can be prepped ahead of time and heated before serving.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large pot
  • 1 strainer
  • 1 oven safe baking dish
  • 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint ricotta cheese
  • 1 pkg short pasta
  • 24 oz jar marinara sauce
  • 2 cups mozzarella shredded
  • 2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoon dried basil
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º.
  • Bring a large stock pot of water to boil. Once the water boils, add salt and stir in your pasta of choice.
  • Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the directions suggests, drain and set aside.
  • Take an oven-safe baking dish and pour a few drops of marinara at the bottom. Pour in the pasta and mix the pasta in with the marinara.
  • Add more marinara, spices, salt, pepper, and a few dollops of the ricotta cheese. Stir with a wooden spoon, making sure to coat all of the pasta.
  • Pour in a little more sauce and ricotta as desired. Top the pasta with a layer of mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Once the pasta is finished baking, turn the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and the pasta is slightly crispy on the sides.
Keyword baked pasta, baked ziti, chicken dinner, easy dinner, easy pasta recipe, pasta recipe
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