Description
This five-cheese baked ziti is a comforting and cheesy pasta dish featuring creamy marinara and a golden breadcrumb crust, perfect for weeknight dinners and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ziti pasta (about 8 ounces)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone
- 1 cup Italian cheese blend
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, heavy cream, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and Italian cheese blend. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Smooth the top.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. If browning too quickly, tent with foil.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
You can swap ziti with penne or rigatoni. For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Gluten-free options are also available. Stir in red pepper flakes for added heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American