Description
Ultra-creamy, extra-cheesy baked ziti with a rich garlic butter top that turns golden and irresistible.
Ingredients
- Rigatoni or ziti pasta
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
- Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F and butter a baking dish.
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Toss pasta with marinara sauce, then spread half into the baking dish.
- Layer ricotta mixture over pasta, then add remaining pasta and cheeses.
- Melt butter with minced garlic and drizzle evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered 30–35 minutes until bubbly and deeply golden on top; rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
- Feel free to add cooked ground meat or vegetables for added nutrition.
- Letting the dish rest before serving helps it set up for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg