How To Cook BAKED ZITI (DEFINITIVE Recipe)

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces calories while provolone can be more affordable.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

Cook 1 pound of pasta (ziti or rigatoni) according to box directions for 9-10 minutes.

Strain pasta through a colander and rinse with cold water to cool it down.

In a large bowl, mix 1 pound of ricotta cheese with 12 ounces of low moisture mozzarella cheese (6 ounces cubed and 6 ounces shredded).

Add a little bit of Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese to the cheese mixture (to taste).

Incorporate chiffonade of fresh basil, garlic powder, and oregano into the cheese mixture.

Eyeball and add about 16 ounces of basic tomato sauce to the cheese mixture.

Gently mix in the cooked pasta without beating it up.

In a glass casserole dish, layer sauce on the bottom, add the pasta mixture, and dollop more sauce on top.

Add shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta mixture.

Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Let the baked ziti sit for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens