Description

This Creamy Cheesy Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food—layered with tender pasta, a rich and creamy tomato sauce, and three kinds of melty cheese. It’s baked until bubbly and golden on top, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or freezer-friendly meal.

Ingredients

1 lb ziti pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
If using meat, add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in marinara sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the sauce and ricotta cheese. Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

For extra creaminess, add a bit more ricotta or a splash of cream.

Great make-ahead meal—assemble ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Try using penne or rigatoni if you don’t have ziti.