Description
A comforting, cheesy pasta dish featuring five different cheeses baked to bubbly perfection, topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners and feeding a crowd.
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 (panko preferred)
- 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. Drizzle a light amount of olive oil over the crumbs.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
- Let the baked ziti rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if using.
Notes
For a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs can be used for dietary needs. Add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American