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Cheesy Easy Baked Ziti

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ThisCheesy Easy Baked Zitiis a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Loaded with melty mozzarella and creamy ricotta, it’s baked to golden perfection in a rich pasta sauce. A comforting classic that’s easy to make and sure to impress!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1pound ziti noodles24 ouncespasta sauce (your favorite variety)3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese15 ouncesricotta cheese
  • 24 ouncespasta sauce (your favorite variety)3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese15 ouncesricotta cheese
  • 3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese15 ouncesricotta cheese
  • 15 ouncesricotta cheese

Instructions

  1. 1️⃣Preheat the oven:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).2️⃣Cook the ziti:Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season it generously with salt, and cook the ziti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and return the noodles to the pot.3️⃣Prepare the cheese mixture:In a large bowl, combine half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups), all of the ricotta cheese, and the pasta sauce. Mix until well combined and creamy.4️⃣Coat the pasta:Add the cooked ziti noodles to the cheese and sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the noodles are evenly coated.5️⃣Assemble the dish:Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.6️⃣Top with cheese:Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.7️⃣Bake:Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown finish, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if desired.8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!
  2. 2️⃣Cook the ziti:Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season it generously with salt, and cook the ziti noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and return the noodles to the pot.
  3. 3️⃣Prepare the cheese mixture:In a large bowl, combine half of the shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ½ cups), all of the ricotta cheese, and the pasta sauce. Mix until well combined and creamy.4️⃣Coat the pasta:Add the cooked ziti noodles to the cheese and sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the noodles are evenly coated.5️⃣Assemble the dish:Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.6️⃣Top with cheese:Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.7️⃣Bake:Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown finish, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if desired.8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!
  4. 4️⃣Coat the pasta:Add the cooked ziti noodles to the cheese and sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the noodles are evenly coated.5️⃣Assemble the dish:Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.6️⃣Top with cheese:Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.7️⃣Bake:Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown finish, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if desired.8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!
  5. 5️⃣Assemble the dish:Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  6. 6️⃣Top with cheese:Sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.7️⃣Bake:Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown finish, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if desired.8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!
  7. 7️⃣Bake:Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. For a golden-brown finish, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes if desired.8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!
  8. 8️⃣Serve:Remove the baked ziti from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting dish warm!

Notes

Optional Add-Ins:Enhance the dish by adding cooked ground beef, sausage, or sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the cheese mixture.Storage:Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.Make Ahead:Assemble the ziti ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes to ensure it’s heated through.
Storage:Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.Make Ahead:Assemble the ziti ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes to ensure it’s heated through.
Make Ahead:Assemble the ziti ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes to ensure it’s heated through.

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