Three Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe
Imagine a bubbling, golden-brown casserole emerging from your oven, filling your kitchen with the mouthwatering aroma of robust tomato sauce and creamy, melty cheese. That’s the magic of Three Cheese Baked Ziti—a classic Italian-American comfort dish that consistently wins over crowds and satisfies every craving for cheesy pasta. With three distinct cheeses woven into every bite, a rich yet balanced tomato sauce, and a perfectly toasted top, this recipe delivers joy in every forkful. Whether you’re serving family, hosting friends, or just treating yourself, Three Cheese Baked Ziti brings both nostalgic coziness and unbeatable flavor to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together here to create something truly irresistible! Each one has an important role, building layers of flavor, texture, or that signature gooey cheese pull you want in a great baked ziti. Let’s break down what you’ll need for the most delicious Three Cheese Baked Ziti.
- Ziti Pasta: These sturdy, tubular noodles are perfect for holding onto all the cheesy, saucy goodness and create the perfect structure for a baked casserole.
- Olive Oil: A touch of olive oil helps sauté the garlic, laying the savory foundation for the whole dish.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings a fragrant, aromatic kick that makes the sauce taste homemade.
- Marinara Sauce: This classic tomato sauce adds bright, tangy flavor and a little sweetness to your ziti.
- Tomato Sauce: Enhances the sauciness, ensuring your baked pasta stays moist and flavorful throughout.
- Dried Basil: Adds a subtly peppery, sweet note for that traditional Italian flair.
- Dried Oregano: Infuses earthy, robust flavor—key for a well-rounded sauce.
- Salt: Elevates all the flavors and brings balance to the finished dish.
- Black Pepper: Just the right amount for mild, savory heat in every bite.
- Ricotta Cheese: Delivers creamy richness and helps bind everything together in dreamy layers.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into stretchy, gooey perfection—the star of any baked pasta.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth; this is the cheese that takes it over the top.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley brings a pop of color and a hint of freshness to balance each rich bite.
- Extra Mozzarella: For the irresistible cheesy topping, turning golden and bubbly in the oven.
How to Make Three Cheese Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare the Ziti Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil—don’t skip the salt, as it flavors the pasta right from the start. Cook your ziti just until al dente, meaning it should still have a little bite to it; this keeps the noodles from getting too soft during baking. Drain well and set aside while you get the rest of the magic going.
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Build the Sauce
In a roomy skillet over medium heat, warm up the olive oil until it shimmers. Toss in the minced garlic and give it a quick sauté, about 30 seconds, just until it’s fragrant—keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn! Stir in the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer together for about 5 minutes. This short simmer combines all the classic Italian flavors and deepens the savory notes in your Three Cheese Baked Ziti.
Step 3: Mix the Pasta and Cheeses
Now, in a big mixing bowl, throw together your cooked ziti, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and chopped parsley. It’s a good time to marvel at how those three cheeses come together: creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and savory Parmesan. Pour in your warm tomato sauce mixture and toss until every noodle is coated in saucy, cheesy goodness.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer your pasta mixture, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle extra mozzarella cheese generously across the top—it’s what will turn golden, melty, and completely irresistible in the oven. Cover with foil to keep everything moist, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Then, take off the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbling and bronzed to perfection.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Patience is a virtue here! Let your Three Cheese Baked Ziti rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This brief pause lets the cheese set up just enough, making for gorgeous, tidy slices and fewer scorched mouths. Dig in and enjoy every forkful of creamy, cheesy, saucy delight.
How to Serve Three Cheese Baked Ziti
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh parsley right before serving adds a gorgeous, bright green contrast to the bubbling cheese. You might also try a handful of fresh basil leaves or a dusting of extra Parmesan for a bit more flavor and flair. If you love a touch of heat, scattered red pepper flakes work beautifully too.
Side Dishes
Three Cheese Baked Ziti is hearty on its own, but it absolutely shines with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness, and garlic bread is perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce. If you want to keep things light and fresh, try steamed vegetables or a plate of roasted broccoli alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For family or casual dinners, serve the ziti straight from the baking dish at the table for that cozy, family-style feel. Entertaining? Dish up individual portions in shallow bowls and top each one with a little extra parsley or basil. For something extra-special, scoop the ziti into small ramekins or mini skillets before baking to create adorable single-serve portions that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To save any leftover Three Cheese Baked Ziti, simply let it cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so the leftovers are never a disappointment!
Freezing
Three Cheese Baked Ziti freezes beautifully. After assembling (but before baking), wrap the dish tightly with both foil and plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add some extra time in the oven until it’s hot and bubbling throughout.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop a portion in the microwave for a couple of minutes until it’s heated through, or cover the entire baking dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until just bubbly again. If reheating from frozen, bake covered for 50 to 60 minutes, then uncover for the last 10 minutes to get that golden cheese topping.
FAQs
Can I use penne or another pasta instead of ziti?
Absolutely! While ziti adds classic texture to Three Cheese Baked Ziti, penne, rigatoni, or even rotini work wonderfully since their shapes all hold sauce and cheese nicely. Just stick to similar cooking times so everything bakes up perfectly.
Can I add meat to make it heartier?
Definitely! Stir in a half pound of cooked Italian sausage or ground beef before baking if you crave a meatier version. It pairs beautifully with the cheesy, saucy base and pleases carnivores at the table.
What’s the best way to make this gluten-free?
Simply swap the regular ziti for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Be sure to cook it just until al dente, as gluten-free noodles can become overly soft more quickly during baking.
Can I assemble Three Cheese Baked Ziti ahead of time?
Yes, that’s one of the joys of this recipe! Assemble the whole dish up to a day in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or easy entertaining.
What can I substitute for ricotta if I don’t have any?
No ricotta on hand? Cottage cheese makes an excellent stand-in; just drain off any extra liquid for best results. Alternatively, mascarpone brings incredible creaminess for a more decadent twist.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something undeniably comforting about a generous helping of Three Cheese Baked Ziti—both familiar and exciting, rich yet perfectly balanced. I hope you give this recipe a spot at your table soon and watch it become a favorite for cozy family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion worth celebrating. If you love pasta, cheese, and a bubbling oven-baked finish, this dish will not disappoint!
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Three Cheese Baked Ziti Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Three Cheese Baked Ziti recipe. A delicious blend of pasta, three cheeses, and savory tomato sauce, baked to perfection for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1 pound ziti pasta
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- extra mozzarella for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil ziti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add marinara, tomato sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper; simmer.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix cooked pasta with cheeses and sauce.
- Bake: Transfer to baking dish, top with mozzarella, bake covered, then uncovered until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a heartier dish, add cooked Italian sausage or ground beef.
- Opt for fresh herbs for a more vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
