Baked Ziti with Ricotta

Baked Ziti with Ricotta is a comforting and hearty dish that combines al dente pasta with creamy ricotta cheese, rich marinara sauce, and a blend of savory herbs. This easy-to-make meal is perfect for a cozy dinner and is sure to please both family and friends.

Ingredients

• Ziti pasta - 200 grams
• Ricotta cheese - 150 grams
• Marinara sauce - 250 milliliters
• Shredded mozzarella cheese - 100 grams
• Parmesan cheese - 30 grams, grated
• Fresh basil - 10 grams, chopped
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. Cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
4. In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
5. Layer half of the cooked ziti over the marinara sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, and then half of the remaining marinara sauce.
6. Repeat the layers with the remaining ziti, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
7. Top the final layer with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
8. Drizzle olive oil over the top and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 24 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 50 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in calcium from cheese, supporting bone health.
• Provides a good source of protein from ricotta and mozzarella.

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