Baked Ziti Recipe: A Classic Italian-American Casserole Dish for Family Meals

Baked ziti is a popular Italian-American dish. It is a comforting casserole made with pasta, cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings. It combines the flavours of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese with herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley. The result is a deliciously cheesy and savoury meal that everyone will love.

• 1 lb (450 g) ziti or other pasta
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) marinara sauce
• 1 lb (450 g) grated mozzarella
• ½ lb (225 g) ricotta
• 4 oz (110 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tbsp basil, chopped fine
• 2 tbsp oregano, chopped fine
• 3 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped fine
• ½ cup (120 ml) bread crumbs
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt
• Pepper

• Oven
• Baking dish
• Large pot
• Large bowl
• Spoon

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (225 °C). Coat a large baking dish with olive oil.
2. In a large bowl, mix ricotta, egg, basil, oregano, parsley, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well.
4. Toss the ziti with marinara sauce and red pepper flakes in a large bowl or pot until noodles are covered. Stir in the ricotta mixture and fold until it begins to melt. Pour the mixture into the greased dish and spread it out with a spoon.
5. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan over the top, then sprinkle bread crumbs over the cheese.
6. Bake at 425 °F (225 °C) for 20 minutes or until the cheese on top turns golden and begins to bubble.

Nutritional Values