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Oven-Baked Ziti With Three Cheeses

Oven-Baked Ziti With Three Cheeses recipe image
This Oven-Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender tubular pasta nestled in a savory, herb-infused tomato sauce. The dish is elevated by a luxurious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses that create a creamy, cheesy interior and a beautifully browned crust. The sauce is built from scratch with sautéed onions, garlic, and fennel seeds for an authentic Italian aroma. It's a hearty, satisfying main course perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4
Calories: 707
Dietary: Vegan
Description
This Oven-Baked Ziti is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender tubular pasta nestled in a savory, herb-infused tomato sauce. The dish is elevated by a luxurious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses that create a creamy, cheesy interior and a beautifully browned crust. The sauce is built from scratch with sautéed onions, garlic, and fennel seeds for an authentic Italian aroma. It's a hearty, satisfying main course perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
  • Olive oil
  • Onion, chopped
  • Garlic, chopped
  • Fennel seeds
  • Tomato paste
  • Tomato sauce
  • Water
  • Dried oregano leaves
  • Dried sage, rubbed
  • Ziti pasta
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Egg
  • Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
  1. 1
    Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. 2
    Cook ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. 3
    Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  4. 4
    Add chopped onion, garlic, and fennel seeds. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  5. 5
    Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
  6. 6
    Add tomato sauce, water, oregano, and sage. Stir to combine.
  7. 7
    Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  8. 8
    Stir 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. 9
    In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Mix until smooth.
  10. 10
    In a large bowl, toss the cooked ziti with the tomato sauce to coat evenly.
  11. 11
    Butter a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
  12. 12
    Layer half of the sauced ziti in the bottom of the baking dish.
  13. 13
    Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the ziti.
  14. 14
    Add the remaining ziti on top.
  15. 15
    Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and all the mozzarella cheese over the top.
  16. 16
    Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  17. 17
    Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 707kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 1138mg48%
Total Carbohydrate 92g31%
Dietary Fiber 12g48%
Sugars 14g
Protein 19g38%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: italian, pasta, baked ziti, cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, tomato sauce, comfort food, dinner, family meal, oven-baked, fennel, garlic, onion, herbs, vegetarian, main course, easy, classic
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/oven-baked-ziti-with-three-cheeses/