Baked Ziti Recipe
Pasta baked with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Cheese
Toppings
Method
Preparation
- 1
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
Prepare the Sauce
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the marinara sauce, add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Assembly
- 3
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the cooked ziti pasta with the marinara sauce until well combined. Reserve 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese for topping.
- 4
Layer the Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top and finish with the reserved mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Baking
- 5
Bake the Ziti
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- 6
Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.