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Savory Three-Cheese Baked Ziti with Garlic Herb Butter

three-cheese baked ziti - featured image
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This comforting baked ziti features a trio of creamy cheeses and a fragrant garlic herb butter, all layered with tangy tomato sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that brings nostalgic flavor and cozy vibes to your table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb dried ziti pasta (or penne)
  • Salt (for boiling water)
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (optional)
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • Pinch of salt (for garlic herb butter)
  • Extra parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or olive oil.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add minced garlic, parsley, basil, thyme, and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for 2 minutes until aromatic. Set aside.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Mix well.
  5. In another bowl, combine marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt/pepper to taste. Stir until combined.
  6. Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Add half the cooked ziti, then half the cheese mixture. Drizzle with half the garlic herb butter. Repeat layers with remaining ziti, cheese, and garlic herb butter. Top with remaining sauce and extra mozzarella or parmesan.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. For crispy edges, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  8. Let baked ziti rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute vegan cheeses and olive oil for butter. Add cooked sausage or turkey for a meatier version. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini can be added for extra veggies. Let the dish rest before serving for cleaner slices. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked ziti, three cheese, garlic herb butter, comfort food, pasta bake, vegetarian, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Italian casserole

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/savory-three-cheese-baked-ziti-recipe-with-garlic-herb-butter-easy-weeknight-comfort/