Cheesy Baked Ziti
If you’re ever sad, just remember that cheesy baked ziti is always there for you.
Prep Time: 15ish min
Cook Time: 30ish min
Yield: 8ish servings
Ingredients
1 box of ziti (1 lb)
32oz of your favorite marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
15oz ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
3 cups of mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
salt to taste
handful of fresh basil, roughly chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Cook the pasta until al dente (about 1-2 minutes shy of the package instructions). Drain. Don’t rinse!! Return the cooked pasta to the pot and toss with half of the marinara sauce. Set aside. Save the other half of the sauce for assembly.
Make the ricotta mixture. In a small bowl, add the ricotta, parmesan, garlic powder, pepper, and red chili flakes. Mix until well combined. Taste and add salt as needed. Set aside.
Assemble! Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish with a couple spoonfuls of the reserved marinara sauce. Add half the pasta and spread into an even layer. Dollop on half of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle on 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Layer! Add the rest of the pasta. Dollop on the rest of the ricotta mixture. Spread on the remaining marinara sauce. Finish by sprinkling on the remaining two cups of mozzarella.
Bake! Loosely cover it with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Take off the foil, continue baking for 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Eat! Top with fresh basil. Spoon it into bowls. Enjoy.