Baked Ziti Casserole

Baked ziti is a favorite dish for many reasons. Try your hand at this pasta casserole featuring ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, and mozzarella.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti
• 2 cups tomato sauce, divided
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups tomato sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, about 13 minutes; drain. Rinse ziti with cold water until cool; drain.

Step 3

Mix together ziti, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, beaten egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.

Step 4

Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a 2 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour ziti mixture into the dish. Top with remaining 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until sauce and cheese layer is bubbly and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.