Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort of a perfectly portioned Baked Ziti designed for two. This Italian-American classic features al dente pasta tubes tossed in a rich, herb-infused marinara sauce, blended with creamy ricotta, and finished with a golden, bubbly layer of melted mozzarella and parmesan. It is an ideal, manageable meal that delivers high-quality flavor without the excess leftovers of traditional family-sized casseroles.
Ingredients
6 oz Ziti pasta
1.5 cups high-quality marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
0.25 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
0.5 cup ricotta cheese
0.5 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water over high heat.
Cook the ziti pasta until slightly firmer than al dente.
Drain the pasta thoroughly to ensure the sauce stays thick.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and dried oregano.
Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased small casserole dish.
Top the mixture evenly with the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
Rest the dish for five minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
Penne pasta can be used as a direct substitute for ziti. Hand-shredding the mozzarella cheese from a block is highly recommended for a superior melt and better flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties. Whole milk ricotta provides a significantly creamier texture than skim alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg