Four Cheese Baked Ziti
This is the best baked ziti! It is rich, cozy, and extra cheesy, with layers of pasta, tomato sauce, and melted cheese in every bite.
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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ziti
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded provolone cheese plus 1/4 cup shredded (for topping)
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cubed, plus 1/4 cup shredded (for topping)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil the pasta for about half the time it says on the box (about 5 to 6 minutes).
- While the pasta is cooking combine the ricotta, provolone, mozzarella, Parmesan, pepper, parsley, and basil in a medium bowl.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Pour some sauce into an 8x8" baking dish, just enough to coat the bottom. Add about a third of the cooked pasta, and top it with some sauce. Using a tablespoon, drop scoops of the cheese mixture over the top of the sauce, about 5-6 scoops.
- Top the cheese with another layer of pasta followed by some sauce. Scoop the remaining cheese over the top of the sauce and add the rest of the pasta. Add the rest of the sauce over the top. It may seem like there is way too much cheese, so be generous with your scoops. Once the ziti is baked those scoops of cheese will turn into the most decadent pockets of ooey-gooey cheese.
- Top the ziti with the rest of the shredded provolone and mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and transfer it to the oven. Bake the ziti for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake it for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and the ziti is bubbling around the edges.
- Rest the baked ziti for a few minutes. Serve it with extra grated parmesan cheese on the side.
Notes
You don't need to boil the pasta for the full time list on the box. It will finish cooking when it goes in the oven with the sauce and cheese.
You can assemble this baked ziti a day in advance. Cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Take it out of the fridge while you preheat the oven. You may need to add a few minutes extra baking time.
Recipe adapted from The Amateur Gourmet
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1419mg | Potassium: 785mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1619IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 589mg | Iron: 3mg
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