Description
A foolproof, budget-friendly American-Italian comfort food dish that feeds 4-6 people for under $15. This cheesy, hearty baked ziti uses simple pantry staples and takes less than an hour to make.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Ziti or Penne Pasta
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 24 oz (680g) jar Marinara Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 3 cups (340g) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 15 oz (425g) Ricotta Cheese (optional)
- Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Chop onion, mince garlic, and grate cheese before starting to cook.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse pasta.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add marinara sauce and oregano; simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If using ricotta, fold it in chunks.
- Pour half the pasta mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Add remaining pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Shred your own cheese from a block for better melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents. Do not rinse the pasta after draining. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set for clean cuts. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy; freeze pasta and sauce separately if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: baked ziti, budget-friendly dinner, family meal, comfort food, cheesy pasta, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, mozzarella